Ecclesiastes 7 · קהלת

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

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.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.

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

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

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

Surely oppression makes a wise man mad; and a bribe destroys the heart.

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Do not say, How was it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness.

Be not righteous overmuch; nor make thyself overwise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself?

Be not wicked overmuch, nor be foolish: why shouldst thou die before thy time?

It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this; but do not withdraw thy hand from that either: for he that fears God performs them all.

Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers who are in a city.

For there is not a just man upon earth, that does good, and sins not.

Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

for oftentimes also thy own heart knows that thou thyself hast likewise cursed others.

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

I cast about in my mind to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and foolishness which is madness:

and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands are fetters: he who pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

Behold, this have I found, says Qohelet, counting one thing to another, to find out the sum,

which yet my soul seeks, but I have not found it: One man among a thousand I have found; but a woman among all those I have not found.

Lo, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.