Ecclesiastes 7:1-6

International Children’s Bible

7 It is better to have respect than good perfume.
    The day a person dies is better than the day he was born.
² It is better to go to a funeral
    than to a party.
We all must die.
    Everyone living should think about this.
³ Sorrow is better than laughter.
    Sadness has a good influence on you.
⁴ A wise man thinks about death,
    but a foolish person thinks only about having a good time.
⁵ It is better to be criticized by a wise man
    than to be praised by a foolish person.
⁶ The laughter of foolish people is useless.
    It is like heating a pot by burning straw.
    There is a lot of fire but no heat.