13 This also I have seen: wisdom under the sun, and it is great to me. 14 A little city, and few men in it, and a great king hath come unto it, and hath surrounded it, and hath built against it great bulwarks; 15 and there hath been found in it a poor wise man, and he hath delivered the city by his wisdom, and men have not remembered that poor man! 16 And I said, 'Better 'is' wisdom than might, and the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard.'— 17 The words of the wise in quiet are heard, More than the cry of a ruler over fools. 18 Better 'is' wisdom than weapons of conflict, And one sinner destroyeth much good!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
(Read Ecclesiastes 9:13-18)
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 the praise they should. How many of the good gifts, both of nature and Providence, does one sinner destroy and make waste! He who destroys his own soul destroys much good. One sinner may draw many into his destroying ways. See who are the friends and enemies of a kingdom or a family, if one saint does much good, and one sinner destroys much good.