Ecclesiastes 7:1-6

New Century Version

7 It is better to have respect than good perfume.
The day of death is better than the day of birth.
² It is better to go to a funeral
    than to a party.
We all must die,
    and everyone living should think about this.
³ Sorrow is better than laughter,
    and sadness has a good influence on you.
⁴ A wise person thinks about death,
    but a fool thinks only about having a good time.
⁵ It is better to be criticized by a wise person
    than to be praised by a fool.
⁶ The laughter of fools
    is like the crackling of thorns in a cooking fire.
    Both are useless.