Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
A young person who is poor but wise is better than an old king who is foolish and refuses to listen to advice anymore.
The writer is saying that wisdom matters more than wealth or power, and that being teachable is more valuable than being stubborn in authority.
📚 Historical Context
Solomon, traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, wrote from his experience as Israel's king who had witnessed the rise and fall of many rulers. In ancient times, kings often became isolated from good counsel as they aged and consolidated power, leading to poor decisions that hurt their kingdoms. This observation reflects the common pattern where elderly monarchs would stop listening to advisors and become set in their ways.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.