Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Wandering of the desire

Bible References

Better

Ecclesiastes 2:24
There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink, and delight in his work. This also I saw was from the hand of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12
I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to rejoice and to do good works in life.
Ecclesiastes 5:18
This is what I have seen. It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labor. He labors under the sun all the days of his life. For God gives this to him as his allotment (inheritance).

Wandering of the desire

Job 31:7
If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled,
Proverbs 30:15
The leach has two daughters. Each cry: Give, Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, yes; even four things never say: It is enough!
Jeremiah 2:20
Long ago you broke off your yoke, tore off your bonds, and said that you would not be a slave. You lay down and acted like a prostitute on every high hill and under every large tree.

This

Ecclesiastes 6:2
God has given man riches, wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires. Yet God has not empowered him to partake of them for a foreigner enjoys them. This is vanity and a severe affliction.
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 2:11
I looked at all the works my hands accomplished. I saw everything I had worked to do. I saw that all was vanity and grasping for the wind. It was to no purpose for there was no profit under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
I have learned why people work so hard to succeed. It is because they envy the things their neighbors have. But it is vanity! It is like chasing the wind.