Amplified Bible
Ecclesiastes 7:8
8The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit (pride).
Ecclesiastes 7:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
- New International Version (NIV)The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:8
6For like the crackling of [burning] thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is vanity (futility). 7For oppression makes a wise man foolish, And a bribe corrupts the [good judgment of the] heart. The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit (pride). 9Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger dwells in the heart of fools. 10Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:8 word by word
ט֛וֹב אַחֲרִ֥ית דָּבָ֖ר מֵֽרֵאשִׁית֑וֹ ט֥וֹב אֶֽרֶךְ־ר֖וּחַ מִגְּבַהּ־רֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:8
- Psalms 126:5They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.
- Isaiah 10:24Therefore, the Lord God of hosts says this, “O My people who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian who strikes you with a rod and lifts up his staff against you, as [the king of] Egypt did.
- Luke 16:25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things [all the comforts and delights], and Lazarus likewise bad things [all the discomforts and distresses]; but now he is comforted here [in paradise], while you are in severe agony.
- James 5:11You know we call those blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] who were steadfast and endured [difficult circumstances]. You have heard of the patient endurance of Job and you have seen the Lord’s outcome [how He richly blessed Job]. The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
- 1 Peter 1:13So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
- Proverbs 13:10Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife, But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.
- Proverbs 14:29He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].
- Proverbs 15:18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.
- Proverbs 16:32He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier], And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.
- Proverbs 28:25An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.
- Luke 21:19By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls.
- Romans 2:7to those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly] glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life.
- Hebrews 10:36For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.
- James 5:8You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near.
- 1 Peter 2:20After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God.
- 1 Peter 5:5Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Better is the end - We can then judge of the whole, and especially if the matter relate to the conduct of Divine Providence. At the beginning we are often apt to make very rash conjectures, and often suppose that such and such things are against us; and that every thing is going wrong. Dr. Byrom gives good advice on such a subject: - "With patient mind thy course of duty run: God nothing does, nor suffers to be done, But thou wouldst do thyself, couldst…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Better - Inasmuch as something certain is attained, man contemplates the end throughout an entire course of action, and does not rest upon the beginning. Patient proud - literally, “Long,” long-suffering “high,” in the sense of impatient.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-10Verses 7-10 The event of our trials and difficulties is often better than at first we thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit, than to be proud and hasty. Be not soon angry, nor quick in resenting an affront. Be not long angry; though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it passes through it as a way-faring man; it dwells only in the bosom of fools. It is folly to cry out upon the badness of our times, when we have more reason to cry…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8It is better to finish a project with patience than to start it with boastful words.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. connected with Ec 7:7. Let the "wise" wait for "the end," and the "oppressions" which now (in "the beginning") perplex their faith, will be found by God's working to be overruled to their good. "Tribulation worketh patience" (Ro 5:3), which is infinitely better than "the proud spirit" that prosperity might have generated in them, as it has in fools (Psa 73:2, 3, 12-14, 17-26; Jas 5:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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