9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
9 Don't be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.
9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
9 Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:9
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:7-10
(Read Ecclesiastes 7:7-10)
The event of our trials and difficulties is often better than at first we thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit, than to be proud and hasty. Be not soon angry, nor quick in resenting an affront. Be not long angry; though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it passes through it as a way-faring man; it dwells only in the bosom of fools. It is folly to cry out upon the badness of our times, when we have more reason to cry out for the badness of our own hearts; and even in these times we enjoy many mercies. It is folly to cry up the goodness of former times; as if former ages had not the like things to complain of that we have: this arises from discontent, and aptness to quarrel with God himself.