Ecclesiastes 7:3 Meaning
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Context Explained
1A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
2It 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.
3Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
Romans 5:3
Paul teaches that suffering produces perseverance, echoing the theme of growth through sorrow.
2 Corinthians 7:10
This verse discusses godly sorrow leading to repentance, resonating with the idea of sorrow being beneficial.
Proverbs 14:13
Both verses highlight the contrast between laughter and sorrow in terms of their effects on the heart.
Source: Ecclesiastes 7:3