Ecclesiastes 7:1-6; Ecclesiastes 7:11-12; Ecclesiastes 7:19 (Good News Translation)

1 A good reputation is better than expensive perfume; and the day you die is better than the day you are born. 2 It is better to go to a home where there is mourning than to one where there is a party, because the living should always remind themselves that death is waiting for us all. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter; it may sadden your face, but it sharpens your understanding. 4 Someone who is always thinking about happiness is a fool. A wise person thinks about death. 5 It is better to have wise people reprimand you than to have stupid people sing your praises. 6 When a fool laughs, it is like thorns crackling in a fire. It doesn't mean a thing. 11 Everyone who lives ought to be wise; it is as good as receiving an inheritance 12 and will give you as much security as money can. Wisdom keeps you safe - this is the advantage of knowledge. 19 Wisdom does more for a person than ten rulers can do for a city.