Ecclesiastes 7:5

5 It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 in Other Translations

5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.

5 Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool.

5 You'll get more from the rebuke of a sage Than from the song and dance of fools.

5 It is better to listen to rebuke from a wise person 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 Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

5 It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.

6 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.

7 Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 141:5; S Proverbs 13:18; Proverbs 15:31-32