13 Here's something else I saw on this earth. I saw an example of wisdom that touched me deeply.
14 There was once a small city. Only a few people lived there. A powerful king attacked it. He brought in war machines all around it.
15 A certain man lived in that city. He was poor but wise. He used his wisdom to save the city. But no one remembered that poor man.
16 So I said, "It's better to be wise than to be powerful." But people looked down on the poor man's wisdom. No one paid any attention to what he said.
17 People should listen to the quiet words of those who are wise. That's better than paying attention to the shouts of a ruler of foolish people.