Ecclesiastes 7:5 Meaning and Explanation
“It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A wise person's correction, however uncomfortable, serves us better than the flattering songs of fools.
What Does Ecclesiastes 7:5 Mean?
The 'better than' sayings turn now to speech we let into our ears. A wise rebuke wounds for a moment; the fool's song soothes but leads nowhere. The Preacher keeps choosing the harder good over the easy pleasure.
We instinctively prefer praise to correction, yet flattery cannot make us wise. The one who can receive a hard word from a faithful friend is on the path of growth. Scripture calls such wounds from a friend faithful, where the kisses of an enemy are deceitful; love sometimes speaks the truth we would rather not hear.
Ecclesiastes 7:5 in the Original Language
gaarah (גְּעָרָה), 'rebuke' -- a sharp corrective word meant to set someone right.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 7:5
What does Ecclesiastes 7:5 mean?
A wise person's correction, however uncomfortable, serves us better than the flattering songs of fools.