Ecclesiastes 7:1–12

Thoughts about Life

7^*A good reputation is better than expensive perfume; and the day you die is better than the day you are born.

²It is better to go to a home where there is mourning than to one where there is a party, because the living should always remind themselves that death is waiting for us all.

³Sorrow is better than laughter; it may sadden your face, but it sharpens your understanding.

⁴Someone who is always thinking about happiness is a fool. A wise person thinks about death.

⁵It is better to have wise people reprimand you than to have stupid people sing your praises.

⁶When a fool laughs, it is like thorns crackling in a fire. It doesn’t mean a thing. ⁷You may be wise, but if you cheat someone, you are acting like a fool. If you take a bribe, you ruin your character.

⁸The end of anything is better than its beginning.

Patience is better than pride.

^9*Keep your temper under control; it is foolish to harbour a grudge.

¹⁰Never ask, “Oh, why were things so much better in the old days?” It’s not an intelligent question.

¹¹Everyone who lives ought to be wise; it is as good as receiving an inheritance ¹²and will give you as much security as money can. Wisdom keeps you safe—this is the advantage of knowledge.