7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance; and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Consider the work of God; for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider; God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity; there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
16 Be not righteous overmuch, neither make thyself overwise; why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17 Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?
