A-Z: Common sayings from the Bible: Great men are not always wise

Usage

Power doesn't equal wisdom.

Definition

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament explores the relationships between prosperity and suffering, success and justice, among others. Here Elihu is arguing that age, success and the large number of people who might agree with you does not necessarily mean you are right.

Bible References

Job 32:9

English Standard Version
King James Version

¹So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. ²Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. ³He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. ⁴Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. ⁵And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. ⁶And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. ⁷I said, Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom. ⁸But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. ⁹It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. ¹⁰Therefore I say, Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion. ¹¹Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say. ¹²I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words. ¹³Beware lest you say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man. ¹⁴He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches. ¹⁵They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say. ¹⁶And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more? ¹⁷I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion. ¹⁸For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. ¹⁹Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. ²⁰I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer. ²¹I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. ²²For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.

¹So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. ²Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. ³Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. ⁴Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. ⁵When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. ⁶And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. ⁷I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. ⁸But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. ⁹Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. ¹⁰Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. ¹¹Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. ¹²Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: ¹³Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. ¹⁴Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. ¹⁵They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. ¹⁶When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) ¹⁷I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. ¹⁸For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. ¹⁹Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. ²⁰I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. ²¹Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. ²²For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

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