אִם־קֵהָ֣ה הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהוּא֙ לֹא־פָנִ֣ים קִלְקַ֔ל וַחֲיָלִ֖ים יְגַבֵּ֑ר וְיִתְר֥וֹן הכשיר [הַכְשֵׁ֖ר] חָכְמָֽה׃
Sekalipun besi itu tumpul dan permukaannya tidak diasah, ia tetap menguatkan para pejuang; dan hikmat lebih unggul lagi dalam kegunaannya.
Guide for the Perplexed
As regards the privileged few, “the remnant whom the Lord calls” (Joel 3:5), they only attain the perfection at which they aim after due preparatory labour. The necessity of such a preparation and the need of such a training for the acquisition of real knowledge, has been plainly stated by King Solomon in the following words: “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: and it is profitable to prepare for wisdom” (Eccles. 10:10); “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end” (Prov. 19:20).