I thought to myself, "Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile." But I found that it also is futile.

The wise man can see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that the same fate happens to them both.

Whatever exists now has already been, and whatever will be has already been; for God will seek to do again what has occurred in the past.

But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.

If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!

When someone's prosperity increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes?

Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery.

I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward.

Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people:

It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile -- like chasing the wind.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.

During the days of my fleeting life I have seen both of these things: Sometimes a righteous person dies prematurely in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked person lives long in spite of his evil deeds.

While applying my mind to everything that happens in this world, I have seen all this: Sometimes one person dominates other people to their harm.

Not only that, but I have seen the wicked approaching and entering the temple, and as they left the holy temple, they boasted in the city that they had done so. This also is an enigma.

I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.

Sow your seed in the morning, and do not stop working until the evening; for you do not know which activity will succeed -- whether this one or that one, or whether both will prosper equally.

Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for a person to see the sun.