I acquired male and female slaves, and had other slaves born in my house. I also acquired for myself increasing numbers of herds and flocks more than anyone who had lived before me in Jerusalem.

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.

And if one has a fall, the other will give him a hand; but unhappy is the man who is by himself, because he has no helper.

Also if two lie together, {they can keep each other warm}. But how can one person be warm?

A young man who is poor and wise is better than a king who is old and foolish and will not be guided by the wisdom of others.

for the poor youth has [used his wisdom and] come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

Even if the other man lives a thousand years twice and does not enjoy good things—do not all go to one place?”

So do the wise [really] have an advantage over fools? {Can the poor [really] gain anything by knowing how to act in front of others}?

For there are many other words that increase futility. What then is the advantage for a man?

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

[It is] good to take hold of the one and also must not let go of the other; for whoever fears God will hold both of them secure.

For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

All this I have seen while applying my mind to every deed that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has exercised power over others to their detriment.

There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are evil men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility.

So I turned me unto other things under the Sun, and I saw that in running it helpeth not to be swift; in battle it helpeth not to be strong; to feeding it helpeth not to be wise; to riches, it helpeth not to be suttle; to be had in favour, it helpeth not to be cunning: but that all lieth in time and fortune.

He who digs a pit [for others] may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a [stone] wall.

A feast is for laughing, and wine makes glad the heart; but by the one and the other money is wasted.

In the morning sow your seed,
and at evening do not let your hand rest,
because you don’t know which will succeed,
whether one or the other,
or if both of them will be equally good.