1
A [good] name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
2
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: in that that is the end of all men, and the living taketh it to heart.
3
Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools in the house of mirth.
5
It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than to hear the song of fools.
6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.
7
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad, and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a proud spirit.
9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be vexed; for vexation resteth in the bosom of fools.
10
Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.