Ecclesiastes 7:8
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.
Webster's Revision
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
World English Bible
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 7:8 Bible Commentary
Better is the end - We can then judge of the whole, and especially if the matter relate to the conduct of Divine Providence. At the beginning we are often apt to make very rash conjectures, and often suppose that such and such things are against us; and that every thing is going wrong. Dr. Byrom gives good advice on such a subject: -
"With patient mind thy course of duty run:
God nothing does, nor suffers to be done,
But thou wouldst do thyself, couldst thou but see
The and of all events, as well as He."
I may add, in the words of our paraphrast: -
"Wait the result, nor ask with frantic rage
Why God permits such things. His ways, though now
Involved in clouds and darkness, will appear
All right, when from thine eyes the mist is cleared.
Till then, to learn submission to his will
More wisdom shows, than vainly thus to attempt
Exploring what thou canst not comprehend,
And God for wisest ends thinks fit to hide."
continued...
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 7:8 Bible Commentary
Better - Inasmuch as something certain is attained, man contemplates the end throughout an entire course of action, and does not rest upon the beginning.
Patient ... proud - literally, "Long," long-suffering ..."high," in the sense of impatient.
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 7:8 Bible Commentary
7:8 The end - The good or evil of things is better known by their end, than by their beginning. The patient - Who quietly waits for the issue of things. The proud - Which he puts instead of hasty or impatient, because pride is the chief cause of impatience.