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 wiseThan for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot,So is the laughter of the fool.This also is vanity.
7 Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason,And a bribe debases the heart.
8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning;The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
10 Do not say,“Why were the former days better than these?”For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.