Better sayings
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of a man's death better than the day of his birth. Better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living should take it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. Better to hear a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. Because the laughter of a fool is like thorns crackling under a pot. This too is empty. Oppression sends a wise man mad, and a bribe rots the heart. The end of a thing is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Don't be quick to get angry, because anger settles in the hearts of fools. Don't ask, Why were the old days better than these? It isn't a wise question. Wisdom is good, and so is an inheritance, and it profits those who see the sun. Because wisdom is a shelter and money is a shelter. But the advantage of knowledge is this: wisdom keeps alive the man who has it. Consider what God has done. Who can straighten what he has made crooked? In the good day be glad, and in the bad day consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so a man can't work out anything about what comes after him.
A good name is better than good ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth. It's better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. Because that's the end of every man, and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughing. Because by the sadness of the face the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of joy. It's better to hear the telling-off of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. Because like the crackling of thorns under a pot, that's what the laughing of the fool is. This is empty too. Crushing others makes a wise man mad for sure, and a bribe wrecks the heart. Better is the end of a thing than its start, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Don't be quick in your spirit to be angry, because anger rests in the chest of fools. Don't say: Why were the old days better than these? Because you don't ask wisely about it. Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and by it there's good to the ones who see the sun. Because wisdom is a shelter, and money is a shelter. But the good of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the ones who have it. Look at the work of God. Because who can make straight what he's made crooked? In the day of doing well be glad, but in the day of trouble think about it. God has set the one against the other too, so man can't find out anything that'll be after him.
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. 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. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 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.
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of a man's death better than the day of his birth.
A good name is better than good ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
Better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living should take it to heart.
It's better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. Because that's the end of every man, and the living will lay it to his heart.
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.
Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
Sorrow is better than laughing. Because by the sadness of the face the heart is made better.
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of joy.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Better to hear a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.
It's better to hear the telling-off of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Because the laughter of a fool is like thorns crackling under a pot. This too is empty.
Because like the crackling of thorns under a pot, that's what the laughing of the fool is. This is empty too.
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Oppression sends a wise man mad, and a bribe rots the heart.
Crushing others makes a wise man mad for sure, and a bribe wrecks the heart.
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
The end of a thing is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
Better is the end of a thing than its start, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Don't be quick to get angry, because anger settles in the hearts of fools.
Don't be quick in your spirit to be angry, because anger rests in the chest of fools.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Don't ask, Why were the old days better than these? It isn't a wise question.
Don't say: Why were the old days better than these? Because you don't ask wisely about it.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Wisdom is good, and so is an inheritance, and it profits those who see the sun.
Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and by it there's good to the ones who see the sun.
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
Because wisdom is a shelter and money is a shelter. But the advantage of knowledge is this: wisdom keeps alive the man who has it.
Because wisdom is a shelter, and money is a shelter. But the good of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the ones who have it.
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
Consider what God has done. Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
Look at the work of God. Because who can make straight what he's made crooked?
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
In the good day be glad, and in the bad day consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so a man can't work out anything about what comes after him.
In the day of doing well be glad, but in the day of trouble think about it. God has set the one against the other too, so man can't find out anything that'll be after him.
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.
God made man straight
In my fleeting days I have seen it all: a righteous man dying in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness. Don't be righteous over much, and don't make yourself over-wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Don't be too wicked, and don't be a fool. Why die before your time? It is good to take hold of this, and not withdraw your hand from the other either, because the man who fears God will come forth from them all. Wisdom makes a wise man stronger than ten mighty men in a city. Because there isn't a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Don't take notice of everything people say, or you might hear your own servant cursing you. Because you know in your own heart how many times you have cursed others. All this I tested by wisdom. I said, I will be wise. But it was beyond me. What is far away and incredibly deep — who can find it out? I turned my mind to know and to search and to seek out wisdom and the reason behind things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness of madness. And I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is caught by her. Look, this is what I found, says the Preacher, adding one thing to another to work out the sum — which my soul is still looking for and hasn't found. One man in a thousand I have found, but a woman among all those I have not found. This alone I have found: God made man upright, but they have gone looking for many schemes.
I've seen it all in the days of my emptiness. There's a righteous man who's wrecked in his righteousness, and there's a wicked man who makes his life long in his wickedness. Don't be over-righteous, and don't make yourself over-wise. Why should you wreck yourself? Don't be over-wicked, and don't be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It's good that you should take hold of this. Yes, don't pull your hand back from that either. Because the one who fears God will come out of them all. Wisdom makes the wise stronger than ten mighty men in the town. Because there isn't a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn't sin. Don't set your heart on everything that's said either, so you don't hear your servant curse you. Because your own heart knows too that you've cursed others plenty of times yourself. I've tested all this by wisdom. I said: I'll be wise. But it was far from me. What's far off and very deep — who can find it out? I set my heart to know and to search and to look for wisdom and the reason for things, and to know the wickedness of folly, and the folly of madness. And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets and whose hands are bands. The one who pleases God will get away from her, but the sinner will be taken by her. Look — this is what I've found, says the Preacher, counting one by one to find the reason for things. My soul still looks for it, but I don't find it. I've found one man among a thousand, but a woman among all those I haven't found. Look — this only I've found: that God made man straight, but they've looked for plenty of schemes.
All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
In my fleeting days I have seen it all: a righteous man dying in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.
I've seen it all in the days of my emptiness. There's a righteous man who's wrecked in his righteousness, and there's a wicked man who makes his life long in his wickedness.
All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
Don't be righteous over much, and don't make yourself over-wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
Don't be over-righteous, and don't make yourself over-wise. Why should you wreck yourself?
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
Don't be too wicked, and don't be a fool. Why die before your time?
Don't be over-wicked, and don't be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
It is good to take hold of this, and not withdraw your hand from the other either, because the man who fears God will come forth from them all.
It's good that you should take hold of this. Yes, don't pull your hand back from that either. Because the one who fears God will come out of them all.
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
Wisdom makes a wise man stronger than ten mighty men in a city.
Wisdom makes the wise stronger than ten mighty men in the town.
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
Because there isn't a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
Because there isn't a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn't sin.
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Don't take notice of everything people say, or you might hear your own servant cursing you.
Don't set your heart on everything that's said either, so you don't hear your servant curse you.
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
Because you know in your own heart how many times you have cursed others.
Because your own heart knows too that you've cursed others plenty of times yourself.
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
All this I tested by wisdom. I said, I will be wise. But it was beyond me.
I've tested all this by wisdom. I said: I'll be wise. But it was far from me.
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
What is far away and incredibly deep — who can find it out?
What's far off and very deep — who can find it out?
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
I turned my mind to know and to search and to seek out wisdom and the reason behind things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness of madness.
I set my heart to know and to search and to look for wisdom and the reason for things, and to know the wickedness of folly, and the folly of madness.
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
And I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is caught by her.
And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets and whose hands are bands. The one who pleases God will get away from her, but the sinner will be taken by her.
And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
Look, this is what I found, says the Preacher, adding one thing to another to work out the sum —
Look — this is what I've found, says the Preacher, counting one by one to find the reason for things.
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
which my soul is still looking for and hasn't found. One man in a thousand I have found, but a woman among all those I have not found.
My soul still looks for it, but I don't find it. I've found one man among a thousand, but a woman among all those I haven't found.
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
This alone I have found: God made man upright, but they have gone looking for many schemes.
Look — this only I've found: that God made man straight, but they've looked for plenty of schemes.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.