The words of wise men Though poor; are heard in quiet Are uttered with a modest and low voice, and are, or should be, heard by wise men; more than the cry The clamorous and senseless discourses; of him that ruleth among fools Of a rich and potent, but foolish man, who has some influence on fools like himself, but is justly neglected, and his words disregarded by wise men. Or, as Aben Ezra interprets the verse, connecting it with the preceding, “The words of the wise are despised by the people when they are in prosperity, but when they are in distress, and silenced by fear and grief, then they listen eagerly and diligently.”
Related Commentaries of Ecclesiastes 9:17
Ecclesiastes 9:17
17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.