Ecclesiastes 9:16 - Exposition

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength . The latter part of the verse is not a correction of the former, but the whole comes under the observation introduced by "I said." The story just related leads to this assertion, which reproduces the gnome of Ecclesiastes 7:19 , wherein it is asserted that wisdom effects more than mere physical strength. There is an interpolation in .the Old Latin Version of Wis. 6. I which seems to have been compiled from this passage and Proverbs 16:13 , "Melter est sapientia quam vires, et vir prudens quam fortis." Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, etc. In the instance above mentioned the poor man's wisdom was not despised and his words were heard and attended to; but this was an abnormal case, occasioned by the extremity of the peril. Koheleth states the result which usually attends wisdom emanating from a disesteemed source. The experience of Ben-Sira pointed to the same issue (see Ecclesiasticus 13:22, 23). Horace, 'Epist.,' 1.1.57—

"Est animus tibi, sunt mores et lingua fidesque,

Sed quadringentis sex septem millia desunt;

Plebs erie."

"In wit, worth, honor, one in vain abounds;

If of the knight's estate he lack ten pounds,

He's low, quite low!"

(Howes.)

"Is not this the carpenter's Son?" asked the people who were offended at Christ.