Neville Goddard on Ecclesiastes 4:13-14 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Ecclesiastes 4 in context

Scripture Focus

13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

Ecclesiastes 4:13-14

Biblical Context

Ecclesiastes 4:13-14 contrasts outer rank with inner wisdom: a poor but wise child is preferable to an old king who refuses admonition; true authority arises from a disciplined inner state rather than outward status.

Neville's Inner Vision

Picture your life as a theater of inner states. The 'poor and wise child' is a heightened awareness that willingly learns, stays teachable, and acts from I AM rather than pride. The 'old and foolish king' represents an unteachable ego clinging to rank and defenses, so it cannot welcome correction. The line 'out of prison he cometh to reign' signals the moment consciousness yields to disciplined insight and steps forth with authority; the kingdom is not a throne in the world but the state of being you allow into your awareness. When you imagine yourself crowned by the very humility that welcomes admonition, you do not become poor by losing wealth but by shedding the illusion that prestige equals power. The kingdom you seek is planted in your own four walls of awareness; the more you listen to truth within and revise your assumptions, the more that inner reign grows, until outward circumstances reflect your inward elevation.

Practice This Now

Assume the role of the wise child: close your eyes, rest in I AM, and imagine a whisper of counsel you would once resisted. Revise instantly and feel the inner authority rise, as your imagined state becomes your real life.