Ecclesiastes 7:1-9 ▼

1 A good name is better than precious perfume, And the day of one’s death better than the day of one’s birth.

2 It is better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that [day of death] is the end of every man, And the living will take it to heart and solemnly ponder its meaning.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad (deep in thought) the heart may be happy [because it is growing in wisdom].

4 The heart of the wise [learns when it] is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is [senseless] in the house of pleasure.

5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of the wise man and pursue wisdom Than for one to listen to the song of fools and pursue stupidity.

6 For like the crackling of [burning] thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is vanity (futility).

7 For oppression makes a wise man foolish, And a bribe corrupts the [good judgment of the] heart.

8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit (pride).

9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger dwells in the heart of fools.