Matthew Henry Commentary Ecclesiastes 7:7-10

"Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; [and] the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this." — Ecclesiastes 7:7-10 (ASV)

The outcome of our trials and difficulties is often better than we first thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit than to be proud and hasty. Do not be soon angry, nor quick in resenting an affront. Do not be angry for long; though anger may enter the heart of a wise man, it passes through him like a traveler; it dwells only in the heart of fools.

It is folly to complain about the badness of our times, when we have more reason to cry out over the badness of our own hearts; and even in these times, we enjoy many mercies. It is folly to praise the goodness of former times, as if former ages did not have similar things to complain about as we do: this arises from discontent and a tendency to quarrel with God himself.