Ecclesiastes 4:13

"A poor, yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction."

Points To Note:

1 In addition to wealth, high place and fame doesn't offer any real security either. Popularity is never permanent. 2. The "wisdom" of the young man appears to be in his willingness to listen to advice, hence the country would be better served under his leadership. "it portrays something familiar enough in public life: the short-lived popularity of the great. It shows the faults on both sides, beginning with the stubbornness of the man who has been too long in the saddle-who is out of touch and out of sympathy with the times" (Kidner p. 51).

"who no longer knows how to receive instruction" -(Prov. Ecclesiastes 26:12). "Who no longer knows how to take advice" (Ber). It is not that he doesn't get advice, he does, but he refuses it. He has forgotten and lost the ability to admit that someone else might have. better idea, to admit his own mistakes or to look at new ideas. "Wisdom" is demonstrated and acquired by being willing to listen to wise advice (Prov. Ecclesiastes 1:7; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Ecclesiastes 18:2; Ecclesiastes 22:17; Ecclesiastes 23:12; James 1:19).

Fame can be just as addictive as wealth. And while some sacrifice everything (Ecclesiastes 4:8) to hold on to wealth, others are willing to sacrifice principle, ethics and their own character to hold on to. position of power.