The exact words
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”Ecclesiastes 9:11, King James Version (1611)
✓ VerifiedFound in a primary source: the original book, speech transcript, letter or recording.
What people get wrong
Common reading
An encouraging promise that the underdog will win.
An encouraging promise that the underdog will win.
Closer to the original
The verse is not a promise to the slow. It says that “time and chance happeneth to them all,” so neither talent nor effort guarantees a result. It is a lesson in humility for winners as much as hope for everyone else.
The verse is not a promise to the slow. It says that “time and chance happeneth to them all,” so neither talent nor effort guarantees a result. It is a lesson in humility for winners as much as hope for everyone else.
Timeline
- c. 450–200 BCEcclesiastes is written. Its speaker, called Qoheleth (“the Teacher”) and traditionally identified with King Solomon, looks hard at life and finds that rewards do not reliably follow merit.
- 1611The King James Version gives the verse its famous English rhythm.
Use it in a speech
Ecclesiastes says the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. We weren't the fastest team this year, and we still finished on top. Thank you for every extra hour.
~11 secondsto say aloud
Pauseafter “to the strong”
Best spotthe end-of-season speech
The Bible says the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but time and chance happen to everyone. Be ready when your chance comes.
~9 secondsto say aloud
Pauseafter “to the strong”
Best spotthe closing advice
Ecclesiastes refuses the comforting idea that merit always wins: “the race is not to the swift,” the Teacher says, because “time and chance happeneth to them all.”
~9 secondsto say aloud
Pausenone needed in writing
Best spotthesis sentence
Questions people ask
Where does “the race is not to the swift” come from?
Ecclesiastes 9:11 in the Bible.
What does it mean?
That speed, strength, wisdom and skill don't guarantee success, because time and chance affect everyone.
Cite this quote
These cite the original source directly, so you can use them in an essay or paper. Always check your teacher's required style.
MLAThe Bible. Authorized King James Version, 1611. Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10.
APAThe Holy Bible, King James Version. (1611/2026). Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10
IN TEXT (APA)(Ecclesiastes 9:11, King James Version)