Ecclesiastes 9:17-18

Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly

9:17 The words of the wise are heard in quiet,

more than the shouting of a ruler is heard ¹  among fools.

9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,

but one sinner can destroy much that is good.

[9:17]  ¹ tn The phrase “is heard” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity and smoothness. Note its appearance in the previous line.