Ecclesiastes 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
In other versions
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
ASV
Sorrow is better than joy; when the face is sad the mind gets better.
BBE
Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
DBY
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
WEB
Better `is' sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better.
YLT
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
ENG
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
WBT
Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.
BSB
In context
1A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
2It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.