One's birth is the beginning of sorrows - cf. One's death can be the beginning of eternal bliss - cf. Better to go to the house of mourning than the house of feasting a. For the funeral home is the end of all men b. Where the living will take it to heart 2.
Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance makes a heart better a.
Thus the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning b. For the laughter of the fool is vanity, like the crackling of thorn under a pot 2. Similar to what we have already seen regarding birth and death - cf. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit 2. Wisdom along with an inheritance is good, and profitable for the living 2.