Ecclesiastes 7:1-7

1A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born.

2Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart.

3Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.

4A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.

5Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool.

6A fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless.

7Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart.