13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

Other Translations of Ecclesiastes 4:13

New International Version

13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning.

English Standard Version

13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.

The Message

13 A poor youngster with some wisdom is better off than an old but foolish king who doesn't know which end is up.

New King James Version

13 Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.

New Living Translation

13 It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:13

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

(Read Ecclesiastes 4:13-16)

People are never long easy and satisfied; they are fond of changes. This is no new thing. Princes see themselves slighted by those they have studied to oblige; this is vanity and vexation of spirit. But the willing servants of the Lord Jesus, our King, rejoice in him alone, and they will love Him more and more to all eternity.