1
A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth;
2
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 take it to heart.
3
Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad 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 like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.
7
Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, And a bribe debases the heart.
8
The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9
Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
10
Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
11
Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun.
12
For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
13
Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?
14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
15
I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.
16
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
17
Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?
18
It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.