Ecclesiastes 9:16

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

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

American King James Version (AKJV)

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

American Standard Version (ASV)

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

Basic English Translation (BBE)

Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength, but the poor man's wisdom is not respected, and his words are not given a hearing.

Webster's Revision

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

World English Bible

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

English Revised Version (ERV)

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

Clarke's Ecclesiastes 9:16 Bible Commentary

The poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard - I cannot help pursuing this illustration a little farther. The soldier who found Archimedes busily employed in drawing figures upon the sand, put to him some impertinent question, withal rudely obtruding himself on his operations. To whom this wonderful mathematician replied, "Stand off, soldier, and do not spoil my diagram;" on which the bloody savage struck him dead!