And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”
Solomon still recommends wisdom to us as necessary to the preserving of our peace and the perfecting of our business, notwithstanding the vanities and crosses which human affairs are subject to. He had said (Ecc 9:11), Bread is not always to the wise; yet he would not therefore be thought either to disparage, or to discourage, wisdom, no, he still retains his principle, that wisdom...
Commenting on Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
Then said I, wisdom is better than strength,.... Wisdom of mind, even in a poor man, is better than strength of body, even of the, most potent prince and powerful army, as may be concluded from the above instance; since the poor wise man could do more by his wisdom than the great king with his mighty army; who was obliged to break up the...
Resuming the sentiment (Ecc 7:19; Pro 21:22; Pro 24:5). poor man's wisdom is despised--not the poor man mentioned in Ecc 9:15; for his wisdom could not have saved the city, had "his words not been heard"; but poor men in general. So Paul (Act 27:11).