1 A good reputationat the time of deathis better than loving careat the time of birth.
2 It's better to go to a funeralthan to attend a feast;funerals remind usthat we all must die.
3 Choose sorrow over laughterbecause a sad facemay hide a happy heart.
4 A sensible person mourns,but fools always laugh.
5 Harsh correction is betterthan the songs of a fool.
6 Foolish laughter is stupid.It sounds like thornscrackling in a fire.
7 Corruption makes foolsof sensible people,and bribes can ruin you.
8 Something completed is betterthan something just begun;patience is betterthan too much pride.
9 Only fools get angry quicklyand hold a grudge.
10 It isn't wise to ask,“Why is everything worsethan it used to be?”
11 Having wisdom is betterthan an inheritance.
12 Wisdom will protect youjust like money;knowledge with good sensewill lead you to life.
13 Think of what God has done!If God makes something crooked,can you make it straight?
14 When times are good,you should be cheerful;when times are bad,think what it means.God makes them bothto keep us from knowingwhat will happen next.
15 I have seen everything during this senseless life of mine. I have seen good citizens die for doing the right thing, and I have seen criminals live to a ripe old age.
16 So don't destroy yourself by being too good or acting too clever!
17 Don't die before your time by being too evil or acting like a fool.
18 Keep to the middle of the road. You can do this if you truly respect God.
19 Wisdom will make you stronger than the ten most powerful leaders in your city.
20 No one in this world always does right.
21 Don't listen to everything that everyone says, or you might hear your servant cursing you.
22 Haven't you cursed many others?
23 I told myself that I would be clever and try to understand all of this, but it was too much for me.
24 The truth is beyond us. It's far too deep.
25 So I decided to learn everything I could and become wise enough to discover what life is all about. At the same time, I wanted to understand why it's stupid and senseless to be an evil fool.
26 Here is what I discovered: a bad woman is worse than death. She is a trap, reaching out with body and soul to catch you. But if you obey God, you can escape. If you don't obey, you are done for.
27 With all my wisdom I have tried to find out how everything fits together,
28 but so far I have not been able to. I do know there is one good man in a thousand, but never have I found a good woman.