(8.) =Good= is =the end of a matter= (in its technical sense of a reasoning) =above its beginning; good is a long spirit above a high spirit= (this is equivocal; ‘_long_-suffering is better than _high_ mindedness’ will render the equivoke. Thus, then, it appears that these aphorisms are all closely related to one another, or, at any rate, hang on the same thread of argument. The existence of oppression makes the wise man mad by reason of disappointed hopes, and destroys his purpose; but he must wait to see the end, and be patient. ‘Good’ has occurred in seven paradoxical relations, having the appearance of evil. The same strain is continued in the following, but the argument is somewhat different). 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit │ Do not be in haste to be to be angry: for anger resteth │ disappointed; for disappointment in the bosom of fools. │ nestles in the bosom of the │ befooled. (9.) =Do not hasten in thy spirit to be angered= (by disappointment), =for anger in the bosom of befooled ones rests.= 10 Say not thou, What is │ Do not say either, How was it _the cause_ that the former │ that former days were so good days were better than these? │ as compared with these? because for thou dost not inquire │ it is not wisdom which prompts ¹wisely concerning this. │ you to inquire in this way. │ ¹ _Hebrew_ out of wisdom. │ (10.) =Do not say= (אל, the particle of prohibition being repeated, this second is equivalent to ‘neither say’) =what was= (how was it) =that the days= (with the article, and therefore generic), =the former ones= (again generic, in strict apposition) =were good ones beyond these= (the whole construction of the sentence shows that the _Laudator temporis acti_ is here specially reprehended), =because not from wisdom= (_i.e._ the _wisdom_ of such an inquiry is here negatived) =thou askest= (שאל is to ask in the sense of wishing to have――Exodus iii. 22) =upon= (or about) =this.= 11 ¶ Wisdom ¹_is_ good with │ As good is wisdom as an an inheritance: and _by it │ inheritance, and something there is_ profit to them that │ more, to those who see the see the sun. │ sunshine; │ ¹ _Or_, as good as an │ inheritance, yea, better │ too. │