Ecclesiastes 7:22
Ecclesiastes 7:22 Meaning and Explanation
“For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Your own conscience knows that you too have often spoken ill of others.
What Does Ecclesiastes 7:22 Mean?
The Preacher gives the reason not to brood over what others say: honest self-knowledge. 'Thine own heart knoweth' appeals to the conscience — we are guilty of the very thing that would wound us in another.
If we have spoken carelessly about others 'oftentimes,' we can hardly demand perfection in their speech about us. This is mercy grounded in self-awareness. It echoes the Lord's teaching to remove the beam from our own eye, and to forgive as we ourselves need forgiving, releasing others from a standard we could never meet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 7:22
What does Ecclesiastes 7:22 mean?
Your own conscience knows that you too have often spoken ill of others.