13 Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun , and it impressed me. 14 There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom . Yet no one remembered that poor man . 16 So I said , " Wisdom is better than strength ." But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded . 17 The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools . 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war , but one sinner destroys much good .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
(Read Ecclesiastes 9:13-18)
A man may, by his wisdom, bring to pass that which he could never do by his strength. If God be for us, who can be against us, or stand before us? Solomon observes the power of wisdom, though it may labour under outward disadvantages. How forcible are right words! But wise and good men must often content themselves with the satisfaction of having done good, or, at least, endeavoured to do it, when they cannot do the good they would, nor have the praise they should. How many of the good gifts, both of nature and Providence, does one sinner destroy and make waste! He who destroys his own soul destroys much good. One sinner may draw many into his destroying ways. See who are the friends and enemies of a kingdom or a family, if one saint does much good, and one sinner destroys much good.