Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Ecclesiastes 9:16

Western Saints

Jerome

"So I said: wisdom is better than might, although a poor man's wisdom is despised and his words go unheeded. "Although no one remembers a poor wise man, and everyone is happy, and admires power and riches; I however admire this despised wisdom according to all of the interpretations given above, and the words which none thinks worthy to be heard.

Commentary on Ecclesiastes ↗

Bonaventure

The contempt and oblivion of the wise man has been shown; here is shown secondly the commendation of the despised one. He commends wisdom, however, by a threefold preeminence: first, by setting it above the strength of power; second, above the defense of armor; third, above the height of worldly glory. He therefore first sets forth wisdom above strength by his own judgment. …

Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9 ↗