Bible verse
And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”
Ecclesiastes 9:16 · BSB
The verses around it, from Ecclesiastes 9.
12 For surely no man knows his time: Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so men are ensnared in an evil time that suddenly falls upon them.
13 I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it was great to me:
14 There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it.
15 Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
16 And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”
17 The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
KJV
Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard.
ASV
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
ERV
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
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Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.