A good name is betterthan preciousointment; and the dayof deaththan the dayof one's birth. It is betterto gotothe houseof mourning, than to gotothe houseof feasting: forthat is the endof allmen; and the livingwill lay it tohis heart. Sorrow is betterthan laughter: forby the sadnessof the countenancethe heartis made better. The heartof the wise is in the houseof mourning; but the heartof fools is in the houseof mirth. It is betterto hearthe rebukeof the wise, than for a manto hearthe songof fools. Foras the cracklingof thornsundera pot, so is the laughterof the fool: thisalso is vanity. Surelyoppressionmaketh a wise manmad; and a giftdestroyeththe heart. Better is the endof a thingthan the beginningthereof: and the patientin spirit is betterthan the proudin spirit. Be nothastyin thy spiritto be angry: forangerrestethin the bosomof fools. Saynotthou, Whatis the cause that the former dayswerebetterthan these? forthou dost notinquirewiselyconcerningthis. Wisdom is goodwithan inheritance: and by it there is profitto them that seethe sun. Forwisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellencyof knowledge is, that wisdomgiveth lifeto them that haveit. Considerthe workof God: forwhocanmake that straight, whichhe hath made crooked? In the dayof prosperitybejoyful, but in the dayof adversityconsider: Godalsohath setthe oneover againstthe other, tothe endthat manshould findnothingafterhim. All things have I seenin the daysof my vanity: there isa just man that perishethin his righteousness, and there isa wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness. Benotrighteousover much; neithermake thyself over wise: whyshouldest thou destroy thyself? Be notover muchwicked, neitherbethou foolish: whyshouldest thou diebeforethy time? It is goodthatthou shouldest take holdof this; yea, alsofrom thiswithdrawnotthine hand: forhe that fearethGodshall come forthof them all. Wisdomstrengtheneththe wisemore than tenmighty men whicharein the city. For there is nota justmanupon earth, thatdoethgood, and sinnethnot. Alsotakenoheedunto allwordsthatare spoken; lestthou hearthy servantcursethee: Foroftentimesalsothine own heartknoweththatthou thyselflikewisehast cursedothers. Allthishave I provedby wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was farfromme. That which isfar off, and exceeding deep, whocan find it out? Iappliedmine heartto know, and to search, and to seek outwisdom, and the reason of things , and to knowthe wickednessof folly, even of foolishness and madness: And Ifindmore bitterthan deaththe woman, whoseheart is snaresand nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleasethGodshall escapefromher; but the sinnershall be takenby her. Behold, thishave I found, saiththe preacher, counting oneby one, to find outthe account: Whichyetmy soulseeketh, but I findnot: onemanamong a thousandhave I found; but a womanamong allthosehave I notfound. Lo, thisonlyhave I found, thatGodhath mademanupright; but theyhave sought outmanyinventions.