Then said I, wisdom [is] better than strength
Wisdom of mind, even in a poor man, is better than strength of
body, even of the, most potent prince and powerful army, as may
be concluded from the above instance; since the poor wise man
could do more by his wisdom than the great king with his mighty
army; who was obliged to break up the siege, in consequence of
the counsel given, or the methods directed to, or taken, by the
poor man; nevertheless, the poor man's wisdom [is]
despised, and his words are
not heard;
notwithstanding such a flagrant instance and example as this just
mentioned; yet men still retain their prejudices against a poor
man, and despise his wise counsels and advice, for no other
reason but because he is poor, and will not attend to what he
says: or, "though the poor man's wisdom" F11, as
Aben Ezra; Solomon drew the above conclusion from that instance;
though this is usually the case, that men despise the wisdom of a
poor man, and will not listen to his advice, this did not lessen
the wise man's opinion of it. The words may be rendered, "even
the poor man's wisdom despised, and his words not heard"
F12; these are better than outward
force and strength, and more serviceable and useful; which the
Septuagint version favours: the Vulgate Latin version renders it,
"how is the poor man's wisdom despised!" &c. as wondering at
it that so it should be, when so much profit and advantage arose
to the city from it.
F11 (tmkxw) "quamvis sapientia", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Gejerus, Amama; "etsi", Drusius.
F12 "Et pauperis sapientiam contemptam" Tigurine version.
