Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
A good name is better than precious ointment; 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 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 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 maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. 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.
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him
Wisdom is BETTER
Character is Better Than Cologne
Ecclesiastes 1:1a
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
Heaven is Better that Heartache
Ecclesiastes 1:1b
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
Reflection is Better than Revelry
Ecclesiastes 1:2
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.
Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Perspective is Better than Pleasure
Ecclesiastes 1:3-4
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Correction is Better than Commendation
Ecclesiastes 1: 5-7
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 maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
The Conclusion is Better than the Commencement
Ecclesiastes 7:8a
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:
Patience Is Better than Pride
Ecclesiastes 7:8b
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Peace is Better than Being Poisoned by Anger
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
The Present is Better than the Past
Ecclesiastes 7:10
Say not thou, what is the cause that the former days were better than these?
for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.