Midrasch zu Kohelet 7:19

Wisdom is a stronghold to the wise more than ten rulers that are in a city (Eccles. 7:19). This verse refers to the wisdom of Joseph. In what way did Joseph reveal his wisdom? In that he did not desire to fight with his brother. In fact, when he beheld the ten powerful men standing before him, any one of whom could destroy ten cities, he was terrified. His wisdom alone saved him, as it is said: Wisdom is a stronghold to the wise.

Another interpretation (of Gen. 42:1): THEN JACOB SAW THAT THERE WAS GRAIN IN EGYPT…. R. Joshua said: < He was > a grand old man sitting in his house and seeing what there was in Egypt. The Scripture says (in Eccl. 7:19): {AND} WISDOM WILL STRENGTHEN A SAGE MORE THAN TEN RULERS…. This refers to Jacob, who was sitting and seeing what there was in Egypt, while his ten sons were coming in [and out] without knowing < about it >.

whereupon Moses said to them (Exodus 14:13) "Do not fear, etc." Moses inspirited them. We are hereby apprised of Moses' wisdom, Moses standing before them and appeasing all those thousands and ten thousands — who listened to him! Of him it is written in the tradition (Koheleth 7:19) "Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers who are in the city." (Exodus, Ibid.) "Stand ready (hithyatzvu) to see the salvation of the L rd": Moses said to them: Today the Shechinah will repose the Holy Spirit upon you; for "yetzivah" in all places refers to the Holy Spirit, viz. (Amos 9:1) "I saw the L rd nitzav on the altar", and (I Samuel 3:10): "And the L rd came vayithyatzev, and He called as before 'Samuel, Samuel'", and (Devarim 31:14) "Call Joshua vehithyatzvu in the tent of meeting and I will command him", and (Exodus 2:4) "Vatethatzav his sister from afar to know what would be done with him," the Holy Spirit reposing itself upon her. At that time, Israel were like a dove fleeing the hawk and seeking refuge in the cleft of the rock, where the serpent hissed. If she enters within — the serpent; if she goes out — the rising sun. So, were Israel at that time, the sea raging (before them); the foe pursuing (behind them) — whereupon they raised their eyes in prayer. Of them it is written in the Tradition (Song of Songs 2:14) "My dove in the clefts of the rock, let Me see your face; let Me hear your voice. For your voice is sweet and your face is fair." "your voice is sweet" — in prayer. Variantly: "Stand ready to see the salvation of the L rd": They: When? Moses: Tomorrow. They: Moses our teacher we do not have the strength to wait. At that time Moses prayed and the Holy One Blessed be He showed them squadrons upon squadrons of ministering angels standing over them. Similarly, (II Kings 6:15-17) "And the attendant of the man of G d … saw a force surrounding the city, with horses and chariots. And his youth said to him: O, my master, what shall we do? … And Elisha prayed and he said: O L rd, open his eyes and let him see. And the L rd opened the eyes of the youth and he saw. And, behold, the mountain filled with horses and fiery chariots around Elisha." Thus did Moses pray at that time and the L rd showed them squadrons upon squadrons of ministering angels standing over them. And thus is it written (Psalms 18:13) "From the brilliance, opposing him": Opposed to what they presented, "His clouds, came forward, hail and coals of fire": Clouds opposed to their squadrons; hail opposed to their projectiles; coals opposed to their catapults; fire opposed to their naphtha. (14) "He shall thunder from the heavens", opposed to the clattering of their armor and the thumping of their boots. "And He shall raise His voice on high", opposed to the blasting of their trumpets. (15) "And He shall let fly his shafts and scatter them", opposed to their arrows. "and many lightnings and He shall rout them", opposed to the brandishing of their swords. Variantly: "And He shall let fly His shafts and scatter them": His shafts scattered them and His lightnings "huddled" them. "and they were confounded (vayehumam)": He took their greaves and they did not know what they were doing. Variantly (on "vayehumam"): "hamamah" is pestilence as in (Devarim 3:23) "vehamam mehumah gedolah until they perished."