Ecclesiastes 7:4

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

Ecclesiastes 7:4 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:4

The heart of the wise [is] in the house of mourning
When his body is not; when it does not suit him to go thither in person, his mind is there, and his thoughts are employed on the useful subjects of the frailty and mortality of human nature, of death, a future judgment, and a world to come; which shows him to be a wise man, and concerned for the best things, even for his eternal happiness in another state; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth;
where jovial company is, merry songs are sung, and the cup or glass passes briskly round, and all is gay and brilliant: here the fool desires to be oftener than he is, and when he cannot; which shows the folly of his mind, what a vain taste he has, and how thoughtless he is of a future state, and of his eternal welfare.

Ecclesiastes 7:4 In-Context

2 It is better to go to a house in mourning than to a house party, because that is everyone's destiny; and the living should take it to heart.
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.
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