^{1 Ref} A `good' name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one's birth.

^{2 Ref} 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 Ref} Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.

^{4 Ref} The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

^{5 Ref} It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

^{6 Ref} For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

^{7 Ref} Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding.

^{8 Ref} Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; `and' the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

^{9 Ref} Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

^{10 Ref} Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

^{11 Ref} Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.

^{12 Ref} For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.

^{13 Ref} Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

^{14 Ref} In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything `that shall be' after him.