Ecclesiastes 7 · Verse 8

Ecclesiastes 7:8

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Ecclesiastes 7:8, King James Version

Ecclesiastes 7:8 in other translations

BSBThe end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.
WEBBetter is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
ASVBetter is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
YLTBetter is the latter end of a thing than its beginning, Better is the patient of spirit, than the haughty of spirit.
DARBYBetter is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a proud spirit.
BBEThe end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.
WebsterBetter is the end of a thing than its beginning: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

What does Ecclesiastes 7:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. connected with Ec 7:7. Let the "wise" wait for "the end," and the "oppressions" which now (in "the beginning") perplex their faith, will be found by God's working to be overruled to their good. "Tribulation worketh patience" (Ro 5:3), which is infinitely better than "the proud spirit" that prosperity might have generated in them, as it has in fools (Psa 73:2, 3, 12-14, 17-26; Jas 5:11).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 Better is the end - We can then judge of the whole, and especially if the matter relate to the conduct of Divine Providence. At the beginning we are often apt to make very rash conjectures, and often suppose that such and such things are against us; and that every thing is going wrong. Dr. Byrom gives good advice on such a subject: - "With patient mind thy course of duty run: God nothing does, nor suffers to be done, But thou wouldst do thyself, couldst thou but see The and of all events, as well as He." I may add, in the words of our paraphrast: - "Wait the result, nor ask with frantic rage Why God permits such things. His ways, though now Involved in clouds and darkness, will appear All right, when from thine eyes the mist is cleared. Till then, to learn submission to his will More wisdom shows, than vainly thus to attempt Exploring what thou canst not comprehend, And God for wisest ends thinks fit to hide." C.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:7-10

The event of our trials and difficulties is often better than at first we thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit, than to be proud and hasty. Be not soon angry, nor quick in resenting an affront. Be not long angry; though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it passes through it as a way-faring man; it dwells only in the bosom of fools. It is folly to cry out upon the badness of our times, when…

Read the full comment on Ecclesiastes 7:7-10 →

Ecclesiastes 7:8 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ט֛וֹבTov[is] goodH2896
אַחֲרִ֥ית'a.cha.Rit[the] end ofH319
דָּבָ֖רda.Vara matterH1697
מֵֽרֵאשִׁית֑וֹme.re.shi.Tomore than beginning itsH7225
ט֥וֹבTov[is] goodH2896
אֶֽרֶךְ\־'e.rekh-a [person] patient ofH750
ר֖וּחַRu.achspiritH7307
מִגְּבַהּ\־mi.ge.vah-more than a [person] proud ofH1364
רֽוּחַ\׃Ru.achspiritH7307

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ecclesiastes 7:8

  • Hebrews 10:36

    For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

  • Psalms 126:5-6

    They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

  • Proverbs 14:29

    He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

  • 1 Peter 1:13

    Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

  • James 5:11

    Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

  • Proverbs 15:18

    A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

  • James 5:8

    Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

  • Proverbs 16:32

    He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

  • Luke 21:19

    In your patience possess ye your souls.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • Luke 16:25

    But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

  • Romans 2:7-8

    To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Better.
Ps 126:5,6; Isa 10:24,25,28-34; Lu 16:25; Jas 5:11; 1Pe 1:13
the patient.
Pr 13:10; 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 28:25; Lu 21:19; Ro 2:7,8; Heb 10:36
Jas 5:8; 1Pe 2:20,21; 5:5,6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ecclesiastes 7:7

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

  • Ecclesiastes 7:8

    Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:9

    Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 7

Ecclesiastes 7:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mejor es el fin del negocio que su principio: mejor es el sufrido de espíritu que el altivo de espíritu.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mieux vaut la fin d’une chose que son commencement. Mieux vaut un esprit patient qu’un esprit hautain.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Besser das Ende einer Sache als ihr Anfang; besser der Langmütige als der Hochmütige.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Calumnia conturbat sapientem, et perdet robur cordis illius.