Ecclesiastes 7:8
The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
In Context
9Be not quick to let your spirit be angry; because wrath is in the heart of the foolish.
Cross References
Proverbs 13:10The only effect of pride is fighting; but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.
Proverbs 15:18An angry man makes men come to blows, but he who is slow to get angry puts an end to fighting.
Proverbs 28:25He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
Isaiah 10:28He has gone up from Pene-Rimmon, he has come to Aiath; he has gone past Migron, at Michmash he puts his forces in order.
Luke 21:19By going through all these things, you will keep your lives.
Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, a quiet mind, kind acts, well-doing, faith,
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 7:8-11
Scenes of Mourning and of Joy. 7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. Solomon had often complained before of the oppressions which he saw under the… Read the whole commentary →