About this passageBen Zoma takes four words that everyone already thinks they can measure — wise, mighty, rich, honoured — and redefines each one as something a person does rather than something they have, attaching a verse of scripture to each as warrant. Read as a set, the four answers move the whole vocabulary of status off comparison with other people.
Ben Zoma said, "Who is wise? He who learns from all men, as it is said, 'from all my teachers have I gotten understanding.' Who is mighty? He who controls his passions, as it is said, 'He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth over his spirit than he that taketh a city.' Who is rich? He who rejoices in his portion, as it is said, 'When thou eatest the labor of thine hands, happy art thou, and it shall be well with thee.' Who is honored? He who honors others, as it is said, 'For them that honor me I will honor.'"
In plainer words
Who is wise? Someone who can learn from anybody. Who is strong? Someone who can govern their own temper. Who is rich? Someone who is glad of what they have got. Who is honoured? Someone who gives other people their due.
A restatement in modern English, written for this collection. The passage above is the text; this is one way of putting it.