New Living Translation
Ecclesiastes 9:17
17Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king.
Ecclesiastes 9:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
- New International Version (NIV)The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.
Context of Ecclesiastes 9:17
15A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to thank him. 16So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long. Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king. 18Better to have wisdom than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 9Ecclesiastes 9:17 word by word
דִּבְרֵ֣י חֲכָמִ֔ים בְּנַ֖חַת נִשְׁמָעִ֑ים מִזַּעֲקַ֥ת מוֹשֵׁ֖ל בַּכְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 9:17
- Genesis 41:33“Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt.
- 1 Samuel 7:3Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.”
- Proverbs 28:23In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.
- Isaiah 42:2He will not shout or raise his voice in public.
- James 1:20Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
- James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17The words of wise men are heard in quiet - In the tumult of war the words of Archimedes were not heard; and his life was lost.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 A man may, by his wisdom, bring to pass that which he could never do by his strength. If God be for us, who can be against us, or stand before us? Solomon observes the power of wisdom, though it may labour under outward disadvantages. How forcible are right words! But wise and good men must often content themselves with the satisfaction of having done good, or, at least, endeavoured to do it, when they cannot do the good they would, nor have…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-18This poor man's wise action was effective. Wisdom is better than power, strength, or weapons (see Ecclesiastes 4:13; 7:9, 19; 10:4). However, deserving people are not always honored, and even wise individuals are sometimes forgotten (see Ecclesiastes 2:16; 4:16).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. The words of wise, &c.--Though generally the poor wise man is not heard (Ec 9:16), yet "the words of wise men, when heard in quiet (when calmly given heed to, as in Ec 9:15), are more serviceable than," &c. ruleth--as the "great king" (Ec 9:14). Solomon reverts to "the rulers to their own hurt" (Ec 8:9).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 9:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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