Ecclesiastes 7:9 — Meaning and Application

Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

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.

Say not thou, What is {the cause} that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. {wisely: Heb. out of wisdom}

Wisdom {is} good with an inheritance: and {by it there is} profit to them that see the sun. {good...: or, as good as an inheritance, yea, better too}