Ecclesiastes 7:1-9 ▼

1 A good name is better than precious oil; And the day of death 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 is the end of all men, And the living will lay it to his heart.

3 Vexation is better than laughter; For by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, Than for a man to hear the song of fools.

6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool; this also is vanity.

7 Surely oppression turneth a wise man into a fool; And a gift destroyeth the understanding.

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; And the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; For anger resteth in the bosom of fools.