Comentario sobre Eclesiastés 9:16

And [yet] I said. When I saw this, “Wisdom is better than might,” for this one’s wisdom was despised by all, but now, they were all rescued through him.

“I said: Wisdom is better than courage, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded” (Ecclesiastes 9:16).
“I said: Wisdom is better than courage, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised.” Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Was the wisdom of Rabbi Akiva, who was poor, despised? Rather, this is an elder who sits and is impoverished regarding his words,¹⁰⁵One who does not practice what he preaches. such as an elder who sits and teaches: “Do not give preference” (Deuteronomy 16:19), but he gives [preference]; “do not take a bribe” (Deuteronomy 16:19), but he takes [bribes]; do not lend with usury, but he lends [with usury]. Samson followed his eyes, “and he judged Israel for twenty years” (Judges 16:31).¹⁰⁶Samson followed his eyes and married a Philistine woman, despite the fact that the Torah states: “Do not go about after your heart and after your eyes” (Numbers 15:39). Thus, although he judged Israel and exhorted them to follow the Torah, he himself did not practice what he preached. Gideon, as it is stated: “Gideon made it into an ephod [and he displayed it in his city, in Ofra. All Israel strayed after it there]” (Judges 8:27), and he judged Israel.¹⁰⁷He preached against idol worship but his own action ultimately led Israel to engage in idol worship. That is, “poor” is only one who impoverishes his words.

The Midrash Aggadah [expounds as follows]: A small city. This is the body.³⁸See Maseches Nedarim 32b.

With few men within it. These are the limbs of a person.

A mighty king. This is the evil inclination, which all his limbs feel.

A poor [wise] man. This is the good inclination.