13. I also observed the following example of wisdom under the sun—it impressed me greatly:
14. There was a small town with only a few residents. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and waged a terrible war against it.
15. Now there lived in that town a poor but wise man who saved everyone by his wisdom. But no one remembered that poor man.
16. So I thought, Wisdom is better than might, but the wisdom of commoners is despised and their words aren’t heeded.
17. The calm words of the wise are better heeded than the racket caused by a ruler among fools.
18. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one incompetent person destroys much good.