Ecclesiastes 7:5

5 It is better to ¹listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one 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 Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.

5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

6 For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility.

7 For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 141:5; Proverbs 6:23; Proverbs 13:18; Proverbs 15:31, 32; Proverbs 25:12; Ecclesiastes 9:17