Ecclesiastes 7:2
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: in that that is the end of all men, and the living taketh it to heart.
Darby Translation
In The King James Version
In Context
1A [good] name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
3Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Cross References
Genesis 49:2Assemble yourselves, and hear, ye sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father.
Numbers 23:10Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let my soul die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!
Deuteronomy 32:46he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words that I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to take heed to do, all the words of this law.
Psalms 90:12So teach [us] to number our days, that we may acquire a wise heart.
Isaiah 5:11Woe unto them that, rising early in the morning, run after strong drink; that linger till twilight, [till] wine inflameth them!
Isaiah 47:7and thou saidst, I shall be a mistress for ever; so that thou didst not take these things to heart, thou didst not remember the end thereof.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 7:2-7
The Value of a Good Name. 1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of… Read the whole commentary →