Ecclesiastes 7:1-6

Modern English Version

7 A good name is better than precious ointment,
    and the day of death than the day of birth.
² It is better to go to a house of mourning
    than to go to a house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind;
    and the living will lay it to heart.
³ Grief is better than laughter,
    for with a downcast face the heart considers the good.
⁴ The heart of those who are wise is in the house of mourning,
    but the heart of those who are foolish in the house of feasting.
⁵ It is better to hear the rebuke from a wise man
    than a man listen to the song of fools.
⁶ For like the crackling sound of thorns under a pot,
    so is the mocking laughter of fools.
    And this is also vanity.