Ecclesiastes 4:13
“Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more.”
— Ecclesiastes 4:13
About this verse
Ecclesiastes 4:13 comes from the book of Ecclesiastes, written during the Divided Kingdom (~930 BC) period. The setting is royal court. These words are attributed to Solomon. The dominant emotion in this verse is seeking, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include wisdom, leadership, humility. Notable phrases: better is; poor and wise; old and foolish.
Speaker
Solomon
Era
Divided Kingdom (~930 BC)
Emotion
seeking
Type
wisdom
Emotional genome
Comfort power
Quotability
Memorability
Crisis relevance
Standalone
This verse is part of a bigger story
Ecclesiastes 4 has more verses that reveal the full context — who wrote it, what was happening, and why this moment matters.
Read Ecclesiastes 4 →This verse was found through the Bible Genome. Take time to reflect on what speaks to you.
Emotionally similar
“But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
— Amos 5:24
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
— Psalms 90:12
“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed?”
— Amos 3:3
“For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”
— Hosea 6:6
“"The leach has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don't say, 'Enou…”
— Proverbs 30:15