5 Better to hear a rebuke of a wise man, Than 'for' a man to hear a song of fools, 6 For as the noise of thorns under the pot, So 'is' the laughter of a fool, even this 'is' vanity.
7 Surely oppression maketh the wise mad, And a gift destroyeth the heart. 8 Better 'is' the latter end of a thing than its beginning, Better 'is' the patient of spirit, than the haughty of spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, For anger in the bosom of fools resteth. 10 Say not thou, 'What was it, That the former days were better than these?' For thou hast not asked wisely of this.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:5-10
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:1-6
(Read Ecclesiastes 7:1-6)
Reputation for piety and honesty is more desirable than all the wealth and pleasure in this world. It will do more good to go to a funeral than to a feast. We may lawfully go to both, as there is occasion; our Saviour both feasted at the wedding of his friend in Cana, and wept at the grave of his friend in Bethany. But, considering how apt we are to be vain and indulge the flesh, it is best to go to the house of mourning, to learn the end of man as to this world. Seriousness is better than mirth and jollity. That is best for us which is best for our souls, though it be unpleasing to sense. It is better to have our corruptions mortified by the rebuke of the wise, than to have them gratified by the song of fools. The laughter of a fool is soon gone, the end of his mirth is heaviness.
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.