If the iron be blunt— If an iron instrument be blunt, though the edge be not quite off, and he who wanteth to make use of it increaseth his strength, skill is more profitable to succeed: or it may be rendered, If an axe be blunt, though the edge is not quite off, then the workman shall exert his utmost strength, and skill remaineth to make him succeed. Thus skill or experience is represented as a mean which is left to procure success when all others fail. Nothing can be more agreeable to Solomon's design than such a notion, especially as it carries an intimation of the necessity of a superior genius and application in a prince who employs unskilful ministers, that he may be able to supply their want of experience. See Desvoeux.
Related Commentaries of Ecclesiastes 10:10
Ecclesiastes 10:10
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.