Ecclesiastes 7:3
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.
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 the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.
- KJV
- Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
- WEB
- Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
- ASV
- Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
- DARBY
- Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
- BLB
- Better [is] sorrow than laughter, for by the sadness of the face, the heart is made good.
- ÅB
- Bedre er gremmelse enn latter; for mens ansiktet er sørgmodig, er hjertet vel til mote.
- OTB
- Sorg er bedre enn latter, for et trist ansikt kan føre til et lykkelig hjerte.
- B1930
- Bedre er gremmelse enn latter; for mens ansiktet er sørgmodig, er hjertet vel til mote.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Corinthians 7:9–11
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
Read in contextRomans 5:3–4
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Read in contextJames 4:8–10
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Read in contextJohn 16:20–22
Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Read in contextHebrews 12:10–11
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Read in context2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Read in contextJeremiah 31:15–20
Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Read in contextJames 1:2–4
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Read in context