Ecclesiastes 4:13
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more.
Additional Resources
Referenced Verses
- Eccl 9:15-16 : 15 Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
- Gen 37:2 : 2 This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph brought an evil report of them to their father.
- 1 Kgs 22:8 : 8 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him; for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil." Jehoshaphat said, "Don't let the king say so."
- 2 Chr 16:9-9 : 9 For the eyes of Yahweh run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein you have done foolishly; for from henceforth you shall have wars." 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in the prison; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.
- 2 Chr 24:20-22 : 20 The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, "Thus says God, 'Why do you disobey the commandments of Yahweh, so that you can't prosper? Because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you.'" 21 They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Yahweh. 22 Thus Joash the king didn't remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, "May Yahweh look at it, and repay it."
- 2 Chr 25:16 : 16 It happened, as he talked with him, that [the king] said to him, "Have we made you one of the king's counselors? Stop! Why should you be struck down?" Then the prophet stopped, and said, "I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this, and have not listened to my counsel."
- Prov 19:1 : 1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
- Prov 28:6 : 6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
- Prov 28:15-16 : 15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people. 16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
Similar Verses (AI)
These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.
- Eccl 4:14-152 verses80%
14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.
- Eccl 9:15-173 verses76%
15 Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16 Then I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.
- 76%
1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
- Eccl 7:4-52 verses76%
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
- Prov 15:20-212 verses75%
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
- Prov 17:24-252 verses75%
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
- 75%
5 A fool despises his father's correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
- 74%
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
- 74%
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
- 74%
15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
- Prov 28:6-72 verses74%
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
- Prov 17:6-72 verses74%
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.
7 Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
- 74%
1 A wise son listens to his father's instruction, but a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.
- 73%
16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
- 73%
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
- 73%
3 Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
- 73%
10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
- 73%
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
- 73%
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
- 73%
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
- Eccl 7:10-112 verses72%
10 Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this.
11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.
- 72%
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- 72%
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- 72%
5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
- 72%
8 For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?
- 72%
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
- 72%
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
- 72%
24 The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
- 72%
4 I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them.
- 71%
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- 71%
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
- 71%
1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
- 71%
11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
- 71%
22 For a servant when he is king; a fool when he is filled with food;
- 71%
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
- 71%
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
- 71%
13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
- 71%
9 It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.
- 71%
16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory for ever, since in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool!
- 71%
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife's quarrels are a continual dripping.
- 71%
18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.