Ecclesiastes 7:1-9 ▼

1 A good name exceeds the value of fine perfume, and the day of someone's death exceeds the value of the day of his birth.

2 It's better to attend a funeral than to attend a banquet, for everyone dies eventually, and the living will take this to heart.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter, because the heart is made better through trouble.

4 For the wise person thinks carefully when in mourning, but fools focus their thoughts on pleasure.

5 It is better to listen to a wise person's rebuke than to listen to the praise of fools.

6 For as thorns burn to heat a pot, so also is the laughter of the fool— even this is pointless.

7 Unjust gain makes the wise foolish, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

8 The conclusion of something is better than its beginning, and a patient attitude is more valuable than a proud one.

9 Never be in a hurry to become internally angry, since anger settles down in the lap of fools.