Ecclesiastes 7:10 Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.

◄ Ecclesiastes 7:10 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.

English Standard Version
Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

New American Standard Bible
Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

King James Bible
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" since it is not wise of you to ask this.

International Standard Version
Never ask "Why does the past seem so much better than now?" because this question does not come from wisdom.

American Standard Version
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.

Darby Bible Translation
Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Young's Literal Translation
Say not thou, 'What was it, That the former days were better than these?' For thou hast not asked wisely of this.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

7:7-10 The event of our trials and difficulties is often better than at first we thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit, than to be proud and hasty. Be not soon angry, nor quick in resenting an affront. Be not long angry; though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it passes through it as a way-faring man; it dwells only in the bosom of fools. It is folly to cry out upon the badness of our times, when we have more reason to cry out for the badness of our own hearts; and even in these times we enjoy many mercies. It is folly to cry up the goodness of former times; as if former ages had not the like things to complain of that we have: this arises from discontent, and aptness to quarrel with God himself.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

10. Do not call in question God's ways in making thy former days better than thy present, as Job did (Job 29:2-5). The very putting of the question argues that heavenly "wisdom" (Margin) is not as much as it ought made the chief good with thee.