The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
    and patience(A) is better than pride.
Do not be quickly provoked(B) in your spirit,
    for anger resides in the lap of fools.(C)

10 Do not say, “Why were the old days(D) better than these?”
    For it is not wise to ask such questions.

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The end of a thing is better than its beginning;
(A)The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
(B)Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,
For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
10 Do not say,
“Why were the former days better than these?”
For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

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Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

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The conclusion of something is better than its beginning,
    and a patient attitude[a] is more valuable than a proud one.[b]
Never be in a hurry to become internally angry,
    since anger settles down in the lap of fools.
10 Never ask “Why does the past[c] seem so much better than now?”[d]
    because this question does not come from wisdom.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 7:8 Lit. spirit
  2. Ecclesiastes 7:8 Lit. spirit
  3. Ecclesiastes 7:10 Lit. the former days
  4. Ecclesiastes 7:10 Lit. than these