Ecclesiastes 9:17
New International Version
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

New Living Translation
Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king.

English Standard Version
The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Berean Standard Bible
The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.

King James Bible
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

New King James Version
Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.

New American Standard Bible
The words of the wise heard in calm are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

NASB 1995
The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

NASB 1977
The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Legacy Standard Bible
The words of the wise heard in restfulness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Amplified Bible
The words of wise men heard in quietness are better than the shouting of one who rules among fools.

Christian Standard Bible
The calm words of the wise are heeded more than the shouts of a ruler over fools.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The calm words of the wise are heeded more than the shouts of a ruler over fools.

American Standard Version
The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

Contemporary English Version
Words of wisdom spoken softly make much more sense than the shouts of a ruler to a crowd of fools.

English Revised Version
The words of the wise spoken in quiet are heard more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
One should pay more attention to calm words from wise people than shouting from a ruler of fools.

Good News Translation
It is better to listen to the quiet words of someone wise than to the shouts of a ruler at a council of fools.

International Standard Version
The softly spoken words of the wise are to be heard rather than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Majority Standard Bible
The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.

NET Bible
The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools.

New Heart English Bible
The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.

Webster's Bible Translation
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

World English Bible
The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The words of the wise are heard in quiet, "" More than the cry of a ruler over fools.

Young's Literal Translation
The words of the wise in quiet are heard, More than the cry of a ruler over fools.

Smith's Literal Translation
The words of the wise being heard in quiet more than the cry of him ruling among the foolish.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The words of the wise are heard in silence, more than the cry of a prince among fools.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The words of the wise are heard in silence, more so than the outcry of a prince among the foolish.

New American Bible
The quiet words of the wise are better heeded than the shout of a ruler of fools.

New Revised Standard Version
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The words of the wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of a ruler who is a fool.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Words of the wise in quiet are heeded more so than the shout of a prince who is a fool
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The words of the wise spoken in quiet Are more acceptable than the cry of a ruler among fools.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The words of the wise are heard in quiet more than the cry of them that rule in folly.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wisdom is Better than Strength
16And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” 17The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools. 18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.…

Cross References
Proverbs 1:5
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

Proverbs 9:9
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

Proverbs 15:31
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. / Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

Proverbs 17:27
A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

1 Peter 3:4
but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Proverbs 13:10
Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Isaiah 30:15
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence—but you were not willing.”


Treasury of Scripture

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that rules among fools.

Genesis 41:33-40
Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt…

1 Samuel 7:3-6
And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines…

Proverbs 28:23
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Jump to Previous
Acceptable Better Cry Ear Fools Heard Heeded Noted Quiet Quietly Quietness Ruler Rules Ruleth Shouting Shouts Wise Words
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Acceptable Better Cry Ear Fools Heard Heeded Noted Quiet Quietly Quietness Ruler Rules Ruleth Shouting Shouts Wise Words
Ecclesiastes 9
1. like things happen to good and bad
4. there is a necessity of death unto men
7. Comfort is all their portion in this life
11. God's providence rules over all
13. wisdom is better than strength














The calm words of the wise
This phrase emphasizes the value of wisdom and the demeanor in which it is often expressed. In biblical context, wisdom is frequently associated with a quiet and gentle spirit, as seen in Proverbs 17:27, which states that a person of understanding is even-tempered. The calmness here suggests a contrast to the chaos and noise often associated with folly. In the New Testament, James 3:17 describes wisdom from above as pure, peaceable, and gentle, reinforcing the idea that true wisdom is not only about knowledge but also about the manner of its delivery. This reflects the character of Jesus Christ, who often spoke with authority yet with calmness and compassion, as seen in His interactions throughout the Gospels.

are heeded over
The concept of being "heeded" implies that the words of the wise are not only spoken but also listened to and respected. This aligns with the biblical principle that wisdom leads to understanding and discernment, as seen in Proverbs 1:5, where the wise listen and add to their learning. The idea of heeding wisdom is also a recurring theme in the teachings of Jesus, who often called for His followers to listen and understand His parables and teachings, as in Matthew 13:9. The emphasis on being heeded suggests that wisdom has a lasting impact, influencing decisions and actions.

the shouts of a ruler among fools
This phrase contrasts the calm wisdom with the loud, often chaotic, declarations of a ruler surrounded by foolishness. In historical and cultural context, rulers in ancient times were often surrounded by advisors, and the quality of their counsel could greatly affect their reign. The Bible provides examples of rulers who listened to poor advice, such as Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12, who rejected the counsel of the elders and followed the advice of his peers, leading to the division of the kingdom. The "shouts" imply a lack of control and discernment, often associated with folly. This contrast highlights the biblical theme that true leadership is marked by wisdom and understanding, not by noise and chaos. The phrase also serves as a reminder of the importance of surrounding oneself with wise counsel, as seen in Proverbs 13:20, which warns that a companion of fools suffers harm.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Wise
Represents those who possess godly wisdom, often characterized by calmness and discernment.

2. The Ruler
Symbolizes authority figures who may lack wisdom, often leading with loudness and force rather than understanding.

3. Fools
Represents those who reject wisdom and understanding, often characterized by loud and reckless behavior.

4. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, known for his wisdom and reflective insights on life.

5. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which Ecclesiastes was written, providing a backdrop of a society familiar with both wise and foolish leadership.
Teaching Points
The Power of Calmness
In a world often dominated by noise and chaos, the calm words of the wise can bring clarity and peace. As believers, we are called to embody this calmness, reflecting the peace of Christ in our interactions.

Wisdom Over Authority
True authority is not about volume or force but about wisdom and understanding. We should seek to influence others through godly wisdom rather than relying on positional power or loudness.

Discernment in Leadership
Whether in the church, workplace, or home, discernment is crucial. We should pray for and seek leaders who exemplify the calm wisdom described in Ecclesiastes 9:17.

The Value of Listening
The verse underscores the importance of listening to wise counsel. As followers of Christ, we should prioritize listening to those who speak with godly wisdom, even if their voices are not the loudest.

Cultivating a Wise Heart
Wisdom is not just about knowledge but about the heart's posture. We should continually seek to cultivate a heart that values and produces wisdom, aligning with God's truth.Verses 17, 18. - Section 10. Here follow some proverbial sayings concerning wisdom and its opposite, which draw the moral from the story in the text. Verse 17. - The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. This verse would be better translated, Words of the wise in quiet are heard better than the shout of a chief among fools. The Vulgate takes the tranquility to appertain to the hearers, thus: Verbs sapientium audiuntur in silentio; but, as Delitzsch points out, the contrast between "quiet" and "cry" shows that it is the man, and not his auditors, who is quiet. The sentence says that a wise man's words, uttered calmly, deliberately, without pompous declamation or adventitious aids, are of more value than the blustering vociferation of an arch-fool, who seeks to force acceptance for his folly by loudness and swagger (comp. Isaiah 30:15; and see Isaiah 42:2 and Matthew 12:19, passages which speak of the peacefulness, reticence, and unobtrusiveness of true wisdom, as seen in the Son of God). The verse introduces a kind of exception to the general rejection of wisdom mentioned above. Though the multitude turn a deaf ear to a wise man's counsel, yet this tells in the long run, and there are always some teachable persons-who sit at his feet and learn from him. "He that ruleth among fools" is not one that governs a silly people, but one who is a prince of fools, who takes the highest place among such.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The calm
בְּנַ֖חַת (bə·na·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5183: A descent, imposition, unfavorable, favorable, restfulness

words
דִּבְרֵ֣י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the wise
חֲכָמִ֔ים (ḥă·ḵā·mîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2450: Wise

are heeded
נִשְׁמָעִ֑ים (niš·mā·‘îm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

over the shouts
מִזַּעֲקַ֥ת (miz·za·‘ă·qaṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2201: A shriek, outcry

of a ruler
מוֹשֵׁ֖ל (mō·wō·šêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign

among fools.
בַּכְּסִילִֽים׃ (bak·kə·sî·lîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 9:17 The words of the wise heard (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
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