71 A good name is better than a good ointment , And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth . 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting , Because that is the end of every man , And the living takes it to heart . 3 Sorrow is better than laughter , For when a face is sad a heart may be happy . 4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning , While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure . 5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools . 6 For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot , So is the laughter of the fool ; And this too is futility .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:1-6
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.