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.