Ecclesiastes 7:8 bbe — The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.

Bible in Basic English

"The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride."

— Ecclesiastes 7:8, Bible in Basic English

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Ecclesiastes 7:8 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Ecclesiastes 7 — Context

5

It is better to take note of the protest of the wise, than for a man to give ear to the song of the foolish.

6

Like the cracking of thorns under a pot, so is the laugh of a foolish man; and this again is to no purpose.

7

The wise are troubled by the ways of the cruel, and the giving of money is the destruction of the heart.

8

The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.

9

Be not quick to let your spirit be angry; because wrath is in the heart of the foolish.

10

Say not, Why were the days which have gone by better than these? Such a question comes not from wisdom.

11

Wisdom together with a heritage is good, and a profit to those who see the sun.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 7:8 say?
Ecclesiastes 7:8 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 7:8 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 7:8 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, verse 8.
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 7:8.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 7:8 in?
Ecclesiastes 7:8 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 7:8?
Ecclesiastes 7:8 reads (BBE): “The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.” 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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