Ecclesiastes 9:18

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

Ecclesiastes 9:18 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 9:18

Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war
And does what they cannot do; of which the wisdom of the poor wise man is a full proof, which delivered the city from a potent prince, when weapons of war could not: see ( Ecclesiastes 7:10 ) ; but one sinner destroyeth much good:
his own soul by his sins, and the souls of others by his counsels, example, and conversation, which corrupt good manners; so does one sinner in a family, neighbourhood, and town; as one poor wise man does much good, one sinner mars much; one Achan in a camp or army, one bad counsel for in a cabinet, one false teacher in the church, will do a great deal of mischief, as well as one debauchee in a town or city. The Vulgate Latin version is, "who sins in one"; offends or sins in one, as in ( James 2:10 ) ; so the Syriac version, "one sin destroys much good", or many good things; and to the same purpose the Arabic version, "he that committeth one sin".

Ecclesiastes 9:18 In-Context

16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised , and his words are not heard .
17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
The King James Version is in the public domain.