Eccl 7:19

“The inhabited world arises in no other way than in the wisdom of God. For "wisdom gives strength to the wise beyond ten rulers who live in the city." "And the one who despises wisdom and instruction is miserable, and his hope empty, and his labors unprofitable, and his works useless," says the Book of Wisdom ascribed to Solomon. Hence insofar as possible, since the inhabited world is set aright in the wisdom of God, let us ourselves desire that our inhabited world, which perhaps has fallen, be set aright. For this inhabited world has fallen whenever we went to the place of affliction. This inhabited world has fallen whenever "we sinned, did wrong, acted wickedly," and it has need of being set aright.”

“Look for the might of a general in his wisdom rather than in the size of his troops.… If a city has many mighty men but lacks wisdom, these cannot help the city. In a spiritual exegesis the world is called city, that is, the earthly realm around us. No one can live without harm, if he is not given divine wisdom. If wisdom does not help, the mighty ones cannot do anything, whether you mean angels or holy men. If wisdom does not help, the city will not be saved. One can also see the soul of every human being as a city. Even if one had a thousand earthly thoughts that could help a city, it cannot be helped if God's wisdom is not sent down to help and to create and sustain order.”

“"It is good that you should take hold of this, and do not withdraw your hand; for he that fears God shall come forth of them all. "It is good to do good to righteous men, but also being kind to sinners is not wicked. It is good to keep slaves faithful to you, but it is advised to do this only with those who seek your employment. Even he who fears God and copies his maker, who causes rain to fall over both the righteous and the wicked, enjoys doing good to all without distinction. Another meaning of this is, because this life changes daily with many wretched occurrences, as fortunate as unfortunate, the spirit should be prepared for righteousness and should ask for the pity of God, so that whatever happens, he suffers with a free conscience. For he who fears God is neither raised to fortune, nor crushed by misfortune.”

“Perhaps a person possesses no bread to extend as an alms to the needy, but still greater is what a person who has a tongue is able to give. It is more important to refresh a mind that will live forever with the food of the word than to satisfy with earthly food the stomach of a body that is going to die. Therefore, brethren, do not take from your neighbors the alms of the word. Paul says, "If we have sown for you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we reap from you carnal things?" "Do good to the just, and you shall find great recompense: and if not of him, assuredly of God." "It is good that you should hold up the just, and from him withdraw not your hand, for he that fears God neglects nothing."”

“Wisdom descends from above as a light to strengthen our operative power. "Wisdom has strengthened the wise man more than ten princes of the city." No sub-celestial power, neither earthly nor human, nor celestial or angelic, strengthens the soul as much as super-celestial wisdom. Whence in the book of Wisdom: "Wisdom entered into the soul of the servant of God and stood against kings. She gave him a strong contest, that he might overcome and know that wisdom is mightier than all things."”

“Likewise, the fruit of wisdom is born of the last four by contrast. Corresponding to this fruit, there are four acts, for wisdom is comforting, struggling, contemplating, and extolling. It comforts the good: "Wisdom is a better defense for the wise man than would be ten princes in the city." It is also struggling, against evil: "Better is wisdom than weapons of war." Again, Wisdom "gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome and know that wisdom is mightier than all." It is also contemplating the Supreme Good: "For she is fairer than the sun." Wisdom makes the soul taste the Supreme Good and be united to it. It is also extolling God on account of all things. This fruit is united with glory: this is the work, this is the reward, this is the fruit, that we shall see, love, and praise.”