"Sorrow {is} better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. {Sorrow: or, Anger}" — Ecclesiastes 7:3

Ecclesiastes 7:3 · KJV

“Sorrow {is} better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. {Sorrow: or, Anger}”

— Ecclesiastes 7:3

{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.

Verse 4

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

Ecclesiastes 7 — Context

A good name {is} better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

{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.

Sorrow {is} better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. {Sorrow: or, Anger}

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

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

Cross References

2 Corinthians 7:9-11

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. {after...: or, according to God}

Romans 5:3-4

And not only {so}, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

James 4:8-10

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse {your} hands, {ye} sinners; and purify {your} hearts, {ye} double minded.

John 16:20-22

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding {and} eternal weight of glory;

Hebrews 12:10-11

For they verily for a few days chastened {us} after their own pleasure; but he for {our} profit, that {we} might be partakers of his holiness. {after...: or, as seemed good, or, meet to them}

Jeremiah 31:15-20

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, {and} bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they {were} not.

James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; {temptations: or, trials}