Ecclesiastes 7:4 kjva — The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

King James Version with Apocrypha

"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."

— Ecclesiastes 7:4, King James Version with Apocrypha

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Ecclesiastes 7:4 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Ecclesiastes 7 — Context

1

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

2

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

3

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

4

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

5

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

6

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

7

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

Ecclesiastes 7:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 7:4 say?
Ecclesiastes 7:4 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 7:4 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 7:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, verse 4.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 7:4.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 7:4 in?
Ecclesiastes 7:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 7:4?
Ecclesiastes 7:4 reads (KJVA): “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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