Ecclesiastes 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.
Douay-Rheims 1899
In The King James Version
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
In Context
10Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.
12Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.
Cross References
Job 28:12But where is wisdom to be found, and where is the place of understanding?
Proverbs 3:14The purchasing thereof is better than the merchandise of silver, and her fruit than the chiefest and purest gold:
Proverbs 8:10Receive my instruction, and not money: choose knowledge rather than gold.
Ecclesiastes 2:13And I saw that wisdom excelled folly, as much as light differeth from darkness.
Ecclesiastes 11:7The light is sweet, and it is delightful for the eyes to see the sun.
1 Timothy 6:17Charge the rich of this world not to be highminded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, (who giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy,)
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 →