7 Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
7 Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
7 Brutality stupefies even the wise And destroys the strongest heart.
7 Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, And a bribe debases the heart.
7 Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:7
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:7-10
(Read Ecclesiastes 7:7-10)
The event of our trials and difficulties is often better than at first we thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit, than to be proud and hasty. Be not soon angry, nor quick in resenting an affront. Be not long angry; though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it passes through it as a way-faring man; it dwells only in the bosom of fools. It is folly to cry out upon the badness of our times, when we have more reason to cry out for the badness of our own hearts; and even in these times we enjoy many mercies. It is folly to cry up the goodness of former times; as if former ages had not the like things to complain of that we have: this arises from discontent, and aptness to quarrel with God himself.