1A good name is better than precious oil ; and the day of death , than the day of one ’s birth . 2It 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 . 3Sorrow is better than laughter ; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad . 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth .
The Value of Adversity
5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise , than for a man to hear the song of fools . 6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot , so is the laughter of the fool : this also is vanity .
The Limitations of Human Wisdom
7Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish ; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding . 8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit . 9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry ; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools . 10Say not thou , What is the cause that the former days were better than these ? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this .
The Sovereignty of God
11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance ; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun . 12For wisdom is a defence , even as money is a defence ; but the excellency of knowledge is , that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it . 13Consider the work of God : for who can make that straight , which he hath made crooked ? 14In the day of prosperity be joyful , and in the day of adversity consider ; yea , God hath made the one side by side with the other , to the end that man should not find out anything that shall be after him . 15All this have I seen in my days of vanity : there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness , and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing. 16Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17Be not overmuch wicked , neither be thou foolish : why shouldest thou die before thy time ? 18It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this ; yea , also from that withdraw not thy hand : for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all . 19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city . 20Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good , and sinneth not . 21Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken , lest thou hear thy servant curse thee ; 22for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others . 23All this have I proved in wisdom : I said, I will be wise ; but it was far from me . 24That which is , is far off and exceeding deep ; who can find it out ? 25I turned about , and my heart was set to know and to search out , and to seek wisdom and the reason of things , and to know that wickedness is folly , and that foolishness is madness . 26And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets , and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her ; but the sinner shall be taken by her . 27Behold , this have I found , saith the Preacher , laying one thing to another , to find out the account ; 28which my soul still seeketh , but I have not found : one man among a thousand have I found ; but a woman among all those have I not found . 29Behold , this only have I found : that God made man upright ; but they have sought out many inventions .