ä¼ é“ä¹¦ 7:10

Chinese NCV (Simplified)

你不要說：“為甚麼從前的日子勝過現在的呢？”你這樣問，不是出於智慧。

Parallel Translations

Chinese Union (Simplified)
不 要 说 ： 先 前 的 日 子 强 过 如 今 的 日 子 ， 是 甚 麽 缘 故 呢 ？ 你 这 样 问 ， 不 是 出 於 智 慧 。

Contextual Overview

⁷ Even wise people are fools if they let money change their thinking. ⁸ It is better to finish something than to start it. It is better to be patient than to be proud. ⁹ Don't become angry quickly, because getting angry is foolish. ¹⁰ Don't ask, "Why was life better in the ‘good old days'?" It is not wise to ask such questions.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

What: Judges 6:13, Jeremiah 44:17-19

wisely: Heb. out of wisdom, Genesis 6:11, Genesis 6:12, Psalms 14:2, Psalms 14:3, Isaiah 50:1, Romans 1:22-32, Romans 3:9-19

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:54 - Send me 1 Samuel 25:10 - there be Ecclesiastes 1:9 - that hath

Cross-References

Genesis 6:17
I will bring a flood of water on the earth to destroy all living things that live under the sky, including everything that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will die.

Genesis 7:4
Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth. It will rain forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe off from the earth every living thing that I have made."

Genesis 7:17
Water flooded the earth for forty days, and as it rose it lifted the boat off the ground.

Genesis 7:20
It continued to rise until it was more than twenty feet above the mountains.

Job 22:16
They were carried away before their time was up, and their foundations were washed away by a flood.

Luke 17:27
People were eating, drinking, marrying, and giving their children to be married until the day Noah entered the boat. Then the flood came and killed them all.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Say not thou, what is [the cause] that the former days were better than these?.... This is a common opinion, that in all ages prevails among men, that former times were better than present ones; that trade flourished more, and men got more wealth and riches, and lived in greater ease and plenty; and complain that their lot is cast in such hard times, and are ready to lay the blame upon the providence of God, and murmur at it, which they should not do;

for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this: this is owing to ignorance of former times; which, if rightly inquired into, or the true knowledge of them could be come at, it would appear that they were no better than the present; and that there were always bad men, and bad things done; frauds, oppressions, and violence, and everything that can be complained of now: or if things are worse than they were, this should be imputed to the badness of men; and the inquirer should look to himself, and his own ways, and see if there is not a cause there, and study to redeem the time, because the days are evil; and not arraign the providence of God, and murmur at that, and quarrel with it; as if the distributions of it were unequal, and justice not done in one age as in another

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ecclesiastes 7:10. The former days were better than these? — This is a common saying; and it is as foolish as it is common. There is no weight nor truth in it; but men use it to excuse their crimes, and the folly of their conduct. "In former times, say they, men might be more religious, use more self-denial, be more exemplary." This is all false. In former days men were wicked as they are now, and religion was unfashionable: God also is the same now as he was then; as just, as merciful, as ready to help: and there is no depravity in the age that will excuse your crimes, your follies, and your carelessness.

Among the oriental proverbs I find the following:

"Many say, This is a corrupt age. This mode of speaking is not just; it is not the age that is corrupt, but the men of the age."