Ecclesiastes 9:14-18

14There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it.

15Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.

16So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

17The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

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