1 A shem tov is better than precious ointment; and the yom hamavet than the day of one's birth.
2 It is better to go to the bais evel (house of mourning), than to go to the bais mishteh (house of feasting); for that is the sof (end, conclusion; see 12:13) of kol haAdam; and the living will take it to heart.
3 Ka'as (sorrow) is better than laughter; for sadness of the countenance is good for the lev.
4 The lev of chachamim is in the bais evel (house of mourning); but the lev of kesilim is in the bais simchah.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the chacham, than for an ish to hear the shir kesilim.