The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning . This is the natural conclusion from what was said in Ecclesiastes 7:2 , Ecclesiastes 7:3 . The man who recognizes the serious side of life, and knows where to learn lessons of high moral meaning, will be found conversant with scenes of sorrow and suffering, and reflecting upon them. But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. The fool, who thinks of nothing but present enjoyment, and how to make life pass pleasantly, turns away... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter . This is a further expansion of the previous maxim, כַּעַס ( kaas ), as contrasted with שְׂהוֹק , is rightly rendered "sorrow," "melancholy," or, as Ginsburg contends, "thoughtful sadness." The Septuagint has θυμός , the Vulgate ira ; but auger is not the feeling produced by a visit to the house of mourning. Such a scene produces saddening reflection, which is in itself a moral training, and is more wholesome and elevating than thoughtless... read more