Ecclesiastes 7:1-6; Ecclesiastes 7:11-12; Ecclesiastes 7:19

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.

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun.

12 For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

19 Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.