13. On the other hand I saw this wise deed under the sun, which I thought magnificent.
14. Against a small city with few inhabitants advanced a mighty king, who surrounded it and threw up great siegeworks about it.
15. But in the city lived a man who, though poor, was wise, and he delivered it through his wisdom. Yet no one remembered this poor man.
16. Though I had said, “Wisdom is better than force,” yet the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words go unheeded.
17. The quiet words of the wise are better heededthan the shout of a ruler of fools.
18. Wisdom is better than weapons of war,but one bungler destroys much good.