Albert Barnes Commentary Ecclesiastes 7:8

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; [and] the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." — Ecclesiastes 7:8 (ASV)

Better - Since something certain is attained, one contemplates the end throughout an entire course of action, and does not rest upon the beginning.

Patient ... proud - Literally, "patient" means “long” (long-suffering), and "proud" means “high” (in the sense of impatient).