Ecclesiastes 9:16

World English Bible (2000)

Then I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Eccl 7:19 : 19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
  • Prov 21:22 : 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
  • Prov 24:5 : 5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
  • Mark 6:2-3 : 2 When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things?" and, "What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? 3 Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" They were offended at him.
  • John 7:47-49 : 47 The Pharisees therefore answered them, "You aren't also led astray, are you? 48 Have any of the rulers believed in him, or of the Pharisees? 49 But this multitude that doesn't know the law is accursed."
  • Eccl 9:18 : 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.
  • Prov 10:15 : 15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
  • John 9:24-34 : 24 So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner." 25 He therefore answered, "I don't know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see." 26 They said to him again, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27 He answered them, "I told you already, and you didn't listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don't also want to become his disciples, do you?" 28 They insulted him and said, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don't know where he comes from." 30 The man answered them, "How amazing! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does his will, he listens to him. 32 Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." 34 They answered him, "You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?" They threw him out.
  • 1 Cor 1:26-29 : 26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; 28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: 29 that no flesh should boast before God.
  • Jas 2:2-6 : 2 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in; 3 and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, "Sit here in a good place;" and you tell the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit by my footstool;" 4 haven't you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn't God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Don't the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts?

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 9:13-15
    3 verses
    87%

    13 I have also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me.

    14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.

    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.

  • Eccl 9:17-18
    2 verses
    84%

    17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.

    18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.

  • Prov 28:11
    77%

    11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

  • Eccl 6:8
    77%

    8 For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?

  • Eccl 4:13
    76%

    13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more.

  • Eccl 7:19
    76%

    19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

  • Prov 10:15
    75%

    15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

  • Prov 19:1
    74%

    1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

  • Eccl 2:13-16
    4 verses
    74%

    13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.

    14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness--and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.

    15 Then I said in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?" Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.

    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!

  • Job 32:9
    74%

    9 It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

  • Prov 13:8
    74%

    8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.

  • Prov 16:16
    73%

    16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

  • Prov 23:9
    73%

    9 Don't speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

  • Eccl 7:5
    73%

    5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

  • Prov 12:8-9
    2 verses
    73%

    8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

    9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.

  • Prov 8:11
    72%

    11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it.

  • Prov 17:16
    72%

    16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

  • Jer 8:9
    72%

    9 The wise men are disappointed, they are dismayed and taken: behold, they have rejected the word of Yahweh; and what kind of wisdom is in them?

  • Job 17:10
    72%

    10 But as for you all, come on now again; I shall not find a wise man among you.

  • Prov 28:6
    72%

    6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

  • Jer 9:23
    72%

    23 Thus says Yahweh, Don't let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, don't let the rich man glory in his riches;

  • Prov 21:13
    72%

    13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

  • Prov 29:9
    72%

    9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.

  • Eccl 1:16
    72%

    16 I said to myself, "Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge."

  • Prov 11:12
    72%

    12 One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

  • Prov 1:20
    71%

    20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.

  • Prov 14:24
    71%

    24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

  • Prov 14:33
    71%

    33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

  • Job 34:34
    71%

    34 Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

  • Job 28:12
    71%

    12 "But where shall wisdom be found? Where is the place of understanding?

  • Prov 1:5
    71%

    5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:

  • Job 34:16
    71%

    16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

  • Eccl 10:6
    71%

    6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

  • Job 32:13
    71%

    13 Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;'

  • Eccl 10:3
    71%

    3 Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

  • Prov 24:7
    71%

    7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate.

  • Prov 8:14
    71%

    14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

  • Job 29:11
    71%

    11 For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it commended me:

  • Prov 26:12
    71%

    12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

  • Prov 21:22
    71%

    22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

  • Eccl 7:11
    71%

    11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

  • Prov 24:5
    70%

    5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;

  • Job 36:19
    70%

    19 Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?