Ecclesiastes 7:13 (DRB)

Passage

For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence: but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them.

Nearby Context

Ecclesiastes 7:11 Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.

Ecclesiastes 7:13 For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence: but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised.

Ecclesiastes 7:15 In the good day enjoy good things, and beware beforehand of the evil day: for God hath made both the one and the other, that man may not find against him any just complaint.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "wisdom", "defence", "money", "learning", "excel", and "give". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "wisdom" and "defence", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 12's "Wisdom with riches is more profitable and..." into verse 14's "Consider the works of God that no...", so "wisdom" and "defence" belong inside that flow. In Ecclesiastes context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "wisdom" and "defence" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.