Ecclesiastes 7:1-3
New Catholic Bible
Search for Human Equilibrium
How To Discover?
Chapter 7
Laughter and Anguish[a]
1 A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.[b]
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to the house of feasting.
For that is the end of every man;
let the living take it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
because a sad countenance may conceal a joyful heart.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 7:1 We must realize that there is no equality between life and death; death will always have the last word. It is useless for us to try to evade this point; a proper equilibrium lies in accepting the human condition such as it is.
- Ecclesiastes 7:1 The day of death [is better] than the day of birth: see 2 Cor 5:1-10; Phil 1:21-23. In verses 2-6, Qoheleth shows how we learn more from times of trial than from times of happiness.
Ecclesiastes 7:1-3
New International Version
Wisdom
7 A good name is better than fine perfume,(A)
and the day of death better than the day of birth.(B)
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for death(C) is the destiny(D) of everyone;
the living should take this to heart.
3 Frustration is better than laughter,(E)
because a sad face is good for the heart.
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