Ecclesiastes 7:8

8 (7-9) Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:8

Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof
If the thing is good, other ways the end of it is worse; as the end of wickedness and wicked men, whose beginning is sweet, but the end bitter; yea, are the ways of death, ( Proverbs 5:4 ) ( 16:25 ) ; and so the end of carnal professors and apostates, who begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh, ( Galatians 3:3 ) ( 2 Peter 2:20 2 Peter 2:21 ) ; but the end of good things, and of good men, is better than the beginning; as the end of Job was, both with respect to things temporal and spiritual, ( Job 8:7 ) ( 42:12 ) ; see ( Psalms 37:37 ) ( Matthew 10:22 ) ( Luke 16:25 ) ; [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit;
patience is a fruit of the Spirit of God; and is of great use in the Christian's life, and especially in bearing afflictions, and tends to make men more humble, meek, and quiet; and such are highly esteemed of God; on them he looks, with them he dwells, and to them he gives more grace; when such who are proud, and elated with themselves, their riches or righteousness, are abominable to him; see ( Luke 16:15 ) ( 18:14 ) .

Ecclesiastes 7:8 In-Context

6 (7-7) For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity.

7 (7-8) Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.

8 (7-9) Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.

9 (7-10) Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.

10 (7-11) Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.