New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 7:8
8The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
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 Living Translation (NLT)Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:8
6For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases the heart. The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. 10Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning 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 126:5Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
- Isaiah 10:24Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: “O My people, who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian. He shall strike you with a rod and lift up his staff against you, in the manner of Egypt.
- Luke 16:25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
- James 5:11Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
- 1 Peter 1:13Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
- Proverbs 13:10By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.
- Proverbs 14:29He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.
- Proverbs 15:18A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
- Proverbs 16:32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
- Proverbs 28:25He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
- Luke 21:19By your patience possess your souls.
- Romans 2:7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
- Hebrews 10:36For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
- James 5:8You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
- 1 Peter 2:20For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
- 1 Peter 5:5Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries