1. A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth.
2. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3. Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
4. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7. Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding.