Ecclesiastes 7:5

5 Pay attention to a wise man's warning. That's better than listening to the songs of those who are foolish.

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 Sadness is good for the heart. That's why sorrow is better than laughter.

4 Those who are wise are found where there is sorrow. But foolish people are found where there is pleasure.

5 Pay attention to a wise man's warning. That's better than listening to the songs of those who are foolish.

6 A foolish person's laughter is like the crackling of thorns burning under a pot. That doesn't have any meaning either.

7 When a wise man takes wealth by force, he becomes foolish. It is sinful to take money from people who want special favors.