1 A Good name is better then precious ointment: and the day of death, then the day of ones birth.
2 ¶ It is better to goe to the house of mourning, then to goe to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the liuing will lay it to his heart.
3 Sorrow is better then laughter: for by the sadnesse of the countenance the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fooles is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to heare the rebuke of the wise, then for a man to heare the song of fooles.
6 For as the crackling of thornes vnder a pot, so is the laughter of the foole: this also is vanitie.
7 ¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad: and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8 Better is the ende of a thing then the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better then the proude in spirit.
9 Be not hastie in thy spirit to bee angry: for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles.
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former dayes were better then these? For thou doest not enquire wisely concerning this.
11 ¶ Wisedome is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profite to them that see the sunne.
12 For wisedome is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellencie of knowledge is, that wisedome giueth life to them that haue it.
13 Consider the worke of God: for who can make that straight, which hee hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperitie be ioyfull, but in the day of aduersitie consider: God also hath set the one ouer against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
15 All things haue I seene in the dayes of my vanitie: there is a iust man that perisheth in his righteousnes, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickednes.
16 Be not righteous ouer much, neither make thy selfe ouer wise: why shouldest thou destroy thy selfe?
17 Be not ouermuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18 It is good that thou shouldest take holde of this, yea also from this withdraw not thine hand: for hee that feareth God, shall come foorth of them all.
19 Wisedome strengtheneth the wise, more then ten mightie men which are in the citie.
20 For there is not a iust man vpon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21 Also take no heede vnto all words that are spoken; lest thou heare thy seruant curse thee.
22 For often times also thine owne heart knoweth, that thou thy selfe likewise hast cursed others.
23 ¶ All this haue I prooued by wisedome: I said, I will be wise, but it was farre from me.
24 That which is farre off, and exceeding deepe, who can finde it out?
25 I applyed mine heart to know, and to search, and to seeke out wisdome, and the reason of things, aud to know the wickednes of folly, euen of foolishnesse and madnesse.
26 And I finde more bitter then death, the woman whose heart is snares & nets, and her handes as bands: who so pleaseth God, shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27 Behold, this haue I found (saith the Preacher) counting one by one to finde out the account:
28 Which yet my soule seeketh, but I finde not: one man among a thousand haue I found, but a woman among all those haue I not found.
29 Loe, this onely haue I found, that God hath made man vpright: but they haue sought out many inuentions.
The benefit of a good name; of death above life; of sorrow above vain mirth. (1-6) Concerning oppression, anger, and discontent. (7-10) Advantages of wisdom. (11-22) Experience of the evil of sin. (23-29)1-6 Reputation for piety and honesty is more desirable than all the wealth and pleasure in this world. It will do more good to go to a funeral than to a feast. We may lawfully go to both, as there is occasion; our Saviour both feasted at the wedding of his friend in Cana, and wept at the grave of his friend in Bethany. But, considering how apt we are to be vain and indulge the flesh, it is best to go to the house of mourning, to learn the end of man as to this world. Seriousness is better than mirth and jollity. That is best for us which is best for our souls, though it be unpleasing to sense. It is better to have our corruptions mortified by the rebuke of the wise, than to have them gratified by the song of fools. The laughter of a fool is soon gone, the end of his mirth is heaviness.
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 out for the badness of our own hearts; and even in these times we enjoy many mercies. It is folly to cry up the goodness of former times; as if former ages had not the like things to complain of that we have: this arises from discontent, and aptness to quarrel with God himself.
11-22 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better. It shelters from the storms and scorching heat of trouble. Wealth will not lengthen out the natural life; but true wisdom will give spiritual life, and strengthen men for services under their sufferings. Let us look upon the disposal of our condition as the work of God, and at last all will appear to have been for the best. In acts of righteousness, be not carried into heats or passions, no, not by a zeal for God. Be not conceited of thine own abilities; nor find fault with every thing, nor busy thyself in other men's matters. Many who will not be wrought upon by the fear of God, and the dread of hell, will avoid sins which ruin their health and estate, and expose to public justice. But those that truly fear God, have but one end to serve, therefore act steadily. If we say we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves. Every true believer is ready to say, God be merciful to me a sinner. Forget not at the same time, that personal righteousness, walking in newness of life, is the only real evidence of an interest by faith in the righteousness of the Redeemer. Wisdom teaches us not to be quick in resenting affronts. Be not desirous to know what people say; if they speak well of thee, it will feed thy pride, if ill, it will stir up thy passion. See that thou approve thyself to God and thine own conscience, and then heed not what men say of thee; it is easier to pass by twenty affronts than to avenge one. When any harm is done to us, examine whether we have not done as bad to others.
23-29 Solomon, in his search into the nature and reason of things, had been miserably deluded. But he here speaks with godly sorrow. He alone who constantly aims to please God, can expect to escape; the careless sinner probably will fall to rise no more. He now discovered more than ever the evil of the great sin of which he had been guilty, the loving many strange women, 1Ki 11:1|. A woman thoroughly upright and godly, he had not found. How was he likely to find such a one among those he had collected? If any of them had been well disposed, their situation would tend to render them all nearly of the same character. He here warns others against the sins into which he had been betrayed. Many a godly man can with thankfulness acknowledge that he has found a prudent, virtuous woman in the wife of his bosom; but those men who have gone in Solomon's track, cannot expect to find one. He traces up all the streams of actual transgression to the fountain. It is clear that man is corrupted and revolted, and not as he was made. It is lamentable that man, whom God made upright, has found out so many ways to render himself wicked and miserable. Let us bless Him for Jesus Christ, and seek his grace, that we may be numbered with his chosen people.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.