Ecclesiastes 7:4 nasb — The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.

NASB

"The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure."

— Ecclesiastes 7:4, NASB

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Ecclesiastes 7:4 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 7 — Context

1

A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.

2

It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.

3

Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

4

The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.

5

It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

6

For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility.

7

For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 7:4 say?
Ecclesiastes 7:4 in the NASB reads: “The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.”
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 (NASB): “The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.” 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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