A good name is better than precious ointment.
The day of one’s death is better than the day of one's birth.
7:2
It is better to visit the house of mourning than the house of feasting,
for that is the end of all men, and the living should take it to heart.
7:3
Sorrow is better than merriment.
It may sadden your face, but your heart is made stronger.
7:4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning.
The heart of the fool is in the house of mirth.
7:5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than the song of fools.
7:6
The laughter of fools is like the crackling of thorns in a cooking fire.
This also is vanity.
7:7
Extortion makes a wise man foolish.
A bribe corrupts the heart.
7:8
The end of a matter is better than the beginning.
Better to be patient in spirit than proud.
7:9
Do not be quick to anger. Anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
7:10
Do not ask, “Why were former days better than these?”
Such a question does not come from wisdom.
7:11
It is good to be wise with your inheritance.
By it there is profit to those who see the sun.
7:12
Wisdom provides protection, and money provides protection.
The advantage of wisdom is that it gives life to those who have it.
7:13
Consider the work of God.
Who can make straight what he has made crooked?
7:14
In the day of prosperity be joyful. In the day of adversity,
remember that God sends one as well as the other.
No man can know what comes next for him.
7:15
I have seen all things in this vain life. A just man may perish
in his righteousness, while an evil man lives long in his wickedness.
7:16
Do not be overly righteous, or overly wise. Why destroy yourself?
7:17
Neither be overly wicked or foolish. Why die before your time?
7:18
It is good that you take hold of the one without letting go of the other.
He who fears God shall escape it all.
7:19
Wisdom strengthens a wise man
more than ten mighty men strengthen a city.
7:20
There is no man on earth so righteous
that he does only good and never sins.
7:21
Do not listen to the conversations of others,
lest you hear your servant curse you.
7:22
For you know in your heart that you have likewise cursed others.
7:23
All these have I proven by wisdom.
I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.
7:24
That which is far from us, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
7:25
I applied my heart to know, to seek out wisdom and the reason of things,
to know that wickedness is folly, and folly is madness.
7:26
More bitter than death is the woman who is a trap,
whose heart is a snare, whose hands are like chains.
A man who pleases God shall escape her, but the sinner shall be captured.
7:27
“This is what I have found,” saith the Preacher,
“after looking for meaning in everything.
7:28
My soul continually searches but finds not.
I have found only one true man in every thousand,
and in all the thousands I have not found one true woman.
7:29
This alone I have found: God made man upright,
but he is the victim of his own inventions.”