Ecclesiastes 9:16 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard - I cannot help pursuing this illustration a little farther. The soldier who found Archimedes busily employed in drawing figures upon the sand, put to him some impertinent question, withal rudely obtruding himself on his operations. To whom this wonderful mathematician replied, "Stand off, soldier, and do not spoil my diagram;" on which the bloody savage struck him dead!