Ecc_9:4

12. Ecclesiastes 9:4.

"For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion."

"Dog" here is used as a metaphor for the vilest person. The lion, being the noblest of animals (Proverbs 30:30). In other words, the noblest who die unconverted have no hope; while the vilest, as long as they have life, have hope and can be saved.