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

ECCLESIASTES 7:5KJV
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Ecclesiastes 7:5 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 7:5 mean?

Ecclesiastes 7:5 says that it is better to listen to a wise person correct you than to enjoy the pleasant but empty words of foolish people. The verse values honest, helpful criticism over shallow entertainment or flattery.

King Solomon, speaking to anyone seeking wisdom, contrasts two experiences: receiving a "rebuke" from someone wise and hearing the "song" of fools. In the context of Ecclesiastes, which often weighs what is truly valuable in life, this verse points out that uncomfortable truth from the wise is more beneficial than the temporary pleasure of foolish talk.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 7:5

  • "rebuke" (גְּעָרָה, ge‘arah): This word means a sharp correction or reprimand. The verse highlights that such correction, though possibly unpleasant, is valuable when it comes from someone wise.
  • "song" (שִׁיר, shir): This word refers to music or singing, but here it represents the lighthearted or entertaining words of fools. The verse suggests that such "songs" are ultimately empty and do not help a person grow.
  • "fools" (כְּסִילִים, kesilim): This word describes people who lack wisdom or good judgment. The verse warns that their words, even if enjoyable, are not worth as much as wise correction.

Why Ecclesiastes 7:5 matters

  • Ecclesiastes 7:5 corrects the common idea that pleasant words are always better than criticism, showing that true growth often comes from honest feedback.
  • The verse fits into the book’s larger theme of seeking what is truly meaningful in life, not just what feels good in the moment.
  • By contrasting wisdom and foolishness, Ecclesiastes 7:5 helps readers see the long-term value of listening to wise people, even when their words are hard to hear.

Where else these words appear

“rebuke” Hebrew H1606 · used in 14 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
  • Psalms 80:16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
  • Proverbs 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

“fools” Hebrew H3684 · used in 69 verses

  • Psalms 49:10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
  • Proverbs 15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
  • Proverbs 26:9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

“song” Hebrew H7892 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • Psalms 18:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
  • Psalms 126:1 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

“wise” Hebrew H2450 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
  • Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.