Ecclesiastes 9:11-18

11I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the strong, and neither is bread to the wise nor riches to those of intelligence and understanding nor favor to men of ability; but time and chance overtake them all.

12For man also does not know his time [of death]; like fish caught in a treacherous net, and birds caught in the snare, so the sons of men are ensnared in an evil time when a dark cloud suddenly falls on them.

13This [illustration of] wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and great it was to me:

14There was a little city with few men in it and a great king came against it and besieged it and built great battlements against it.

15But there was found in it a poor wise man, and by his wisdom he rescued the city. Yet no man [seriously] remembered that poor man.

16But I say that wisdom is better than strength, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heeded.

17The words of wise men heard in quietness are better than the shouting of one who rules among fools.

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