Don't Undervalue Wisdom!

I. Wisdom’s value and vulnerability

I. Wisdom’s value and vulnerability
II. Wisdom in daily life

I. Wisdom’s value and vulnerability
II. Wisdom in daily life
III. Wisdom in our words

I. Wisdom’s value and vulnerability

13I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.

Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
17The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

1Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Ecclesiastes 10:1

2A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,
but a fool’s heart to the left.
3Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4If the anger of the ruler rises against

you, do not leave your place,
for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

Ecclesiastes 10:2-4

II. Wisdom in daily life

5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

Ecclesiastes 10:5-7

8He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10If the iron is blunt,

and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.

Ecclesiastes 10:8-11

III. Wisdom in our words

12The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,
but the lips of a fool consume him.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
Ecclesiastes 10:12-13

16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
and your princes feast in the morning!
17Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
and your princes feast at the proper time,
for strength,

and not for drunkenness!
18Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks.
19Bread is made for laughter,
and wine gladdens life,
and money answers everything.
Ecclesiastes 10:16-19

20Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10:20