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Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless.
So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living.
Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead,
More than the living who are still alive.
More than the living who are still alive.
But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun.
Yet, better than both is he who has never existed,
Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless — like chasing the wind.
The Vanity of Selfish Toil
Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
“Fools fold their idle hands,
leading them to ruin.”
leading them to ruin.”
The fool folds his hands
And consumes his own flesh.
And consumes his own flesh.
And yet,
“Better to have one handful with quietness
than two handfuls with hard work
and chasing the wind.”
“Better to have one handful with quietness
than two handfuls with hard work
and chasing the wind.”
Better a handful with quietness
Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
The Advantages of Companionship
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
The Value of a Friend
Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
But how can one be warm alone?
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
The Futility of Political Power
It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.
Popularity Passes Away
Better a poor and wise youth
Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.
Better a poor and wise youth
Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.
Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison.
I saw all the living who walk under the sun;
They were with the second youth who stands in his place.
They were with the second youth who stands in his place.