The preacher turns many common assumptions of life on their head here.  We can understand that a good name is better than ointment (v1a). Our reputation before others is something that should matter to us and definitely more important than expensive possessions.

But the day of death being better than the day of birth seems very strange (v1b). this probably comes here from the preacher’s very negative view of life. But for the Christian this statement is definitely true because being born means coming into a world of sin and suffering, but dying means going to a world that is sinless and full of joy.

Mourning is not something we naturally seek, but in its right place it can be better than joy and laughter (v1-4). Worldly laughter can be escapism and distract people from considering the most important questions about life and eternity. There is a time when we need to face up to the hard reality about our sin and its consequences.

The picture of the laughter of fools being like the cracking of thons under a pot (v5-6), is a bit like the expression ‘fiddling while Rome is burning’. Many people live in a spiritual anaesthetic not wanting to face up to the seriousness of their situation and their great need to repent and come to Jesus in faith.