This verse is closely linked to the clause before it, with repetition of the word “heart” (“do not give your heart”). Although Revised Standard Version does not translate it, the verse opens with the ki particle. This shows that it gives the reason for the previous command. The reason why we should not take insults seriously is that we ourselves have probably insulted others. The sense intended is that we probably didn’t mean what we said, or what we said didn’t have any damaging effect, so it was not important. A conjunction showing the link between the two verses (“because” or “for”) would be appropriate here.

Your heart knows: as in verse 21, heart refers to a person’s inner being rather than the body part. Here we can also say “you yourself.”

Many times is the introductory phrase in Hebrew and so probably is to be given emphasis. The Hebrew expression is not itself a time word but is a noun meaning “beat,” “measure.” “Occasion” is a good translation: “On many occasions.” Jerusalem Bible “how often” is also acceptable.

You have yourself cursed others represents the object of the verb knows. The separate pronoun “you” before the verb you have … cursed in Hebrew adds emphasis. This is brought out clearly in Revised Standard Version you … yourself. For cursed see comments above on verse 21. The object of the verb “curse” is others; it is quite general. However, we can personalize it by saying “other people.”

The saying therefore appears to argue that insulting or speaking ill of others is so common, that we should not take it too seriously when we find that others are saying things about us. Lacking context, it is difficult to determine exactly what the saying intends here, but certainly we can say that the wise person works on this principle. Our view is that this saying is intended merely as one illustration of how a wise person acts.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .