Ecclesiastes 9:18 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Wisdom is better than weapons of war - So proved in the case of Archimedes.

But one sinner - Such as the Roman butcher above mentioned.

Destroyeth much good - Such as were the life and skill of the Syracusan mathematician. One sinner has often injured the work of God; one stumbling-block has sometimes destroyed a revival of religion. Sin acts like a ferment; whatever comes in contact with it, it assimilates to itself.

Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke [1831].

Ecclesiastes 9:18

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.