Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
Wherefore (is there) a price (literally, this price: demonstratively) in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing (he hath) no heart (to it)? Why has he in his power the wealth and other means of obtaining wisdom, when he has no heart for it? Wealth is given to us by God in order that by its help we may advance in piety and wisdom. Money will obtain the help of teachers, both the living and the dead-namely, good and pious books-and other helps. Practical benevolence, in giving to the Lord's needy people, is a means of increasing in heavenly wisdom. But wealth without the heart, or teachable, humble, God-fearing mind, is of no avail for acquiring wisdom.