Whatever has happened, will happen again; whatever has been done, will be done again. There is nothing new on earth.

Next I turned to examine wisdom, insanity, and foolishness, because what can a person do who succeeds the king except what has already been accomplished?

That which was, now is; and that which will be, already is; and God examines what has already taken place.

For what happens to people also happens to animals a single event happens to them: just as someone dies, so does the other. In fact, they all breathe the same way, so that a human being has no superiority over an animal. All of this is pointless.

Better than both of them is someone who has not yet been born, because he hasn't experienced evil on earth.

Furthermore, for every person to whom God has given wealth, riches, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept this allotment, and to rejoice in his work this is a gift from God.

For what advantage has the wise person over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have in knowing how to face life?

Whatever exists has been named already; people know what it means to be human and a person cannot defeat one who is more powerful than he.

Consider the work of God: Who is able to straighten what he has bent?

For he has absolutely no knowledge what will happen, since who can declare to him when it will come about?

Just as no human being has control over the wind to restrain it, so also no human being has control over the day of his death. Just as no one is discharged during war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

But things will not go well for the wicked person: he will not lengthen his life like a shadow, since he has no fear before God.

At least the living know they will die, but the dead know nothing; they no longer have a reward, since memory about them has been forgotten.

Go ahead and enjoy your meals as you eat. Drink your wine with a joyful attitude, because God already has approved your actions.

Furthermore, the way a fool lives shows he has no sense; he proclaims to everyone that he's a fool.