Ecclesiastes 7:5

5 It is better to obey the reprimand of the wise than to listen to the song of fools,

Ecclesiastes 7:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:5

[It is] better to hear the rebuke of the wise
To listen to it diligently, receive it cordially, and act according to it; though it may be disagreeable to the flesh, and give present pain, yet the effect and issue will be good, and show that man to be wise that hears it, as well as he that gives it; see ( Psalms 141:1 ) ( Proverbs 15:31 Proverbs 15:32 ) ( 17:10 ) ; than for a man to hear the song of fools;
the vain and impure songs that foolish men sing in the house of mirth; or the flatteries of foolish men, which tickle and please the mind, as music and songs do: or, "than a man that hears the song of fools" ^F9, and is pleased with it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (Mylyok ryv emv vyam) "quam vir audiens canticum stultorum", Montanus, Mercerus; "prae viro audiente canticum stultorum", Rambachius.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 In-Context

3 Aggravation is better than merriment because a sad face may lead to a glad heart.

4 The wise heart is in the house that mourns, but the foolish heart is in the house that rejoices.

5 It is better to obey the reprimand of the wise than to listen to the song of fools,

6 because the fool's merriment is like nettles crackling under a kettle. That too is pointless.

7 Oppression turns the wise into fools; a bribe corrupts the heart.