Ecclesiastes 7:5

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

Ecclesiastes 7:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:5

[It is] better to hear the rebuke of the wise
To listen to it diligently, receive it cordially, and act according to it; though it may be disagreeable to the flesh, and give present pain, yet the effect and issue will be good, and show that man to be wise that hears it, as well as he that gives it; see ( Psalms 141:1 ) ( Proverbs 15:31 Proverbs 15:32 ) ( 17:10 ) ; than for a man to hear the song of fools;
the vain and impure songs that foolish men sing in the house of mirth; or the flatteries of foolish men, which tickle and please the mind, as music and songs do: or, "than a man that hears the song of fools" ^F9, and is pleased with it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (Mylyok ryv emv vyam) "quam vir audiens canticum stultorum", Montanus, Mercerus; "prae viro audiente canticum stultorum", Rambachius.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 In-Context

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

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

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

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

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