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?

So I hated life, because whatever is done on earth causes me trouble it's all pointless, like chasing after the wind.

I also examined on earth: where the halls of justice were supposed to be, there was lawlessness; and where the righteous were supposed to be, there was lawlessness. 17I told myself, "God will judge both the righteous and the wicked, because there is a time set to judge every event and every work."

I concluded that it is worthwhile for people to find joy in their accomplishments, because that is their inheritance, since who can see what will exist after them?

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

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

because stillborn children arrive in pointlessness, leave in darkness, and their names are covered in darkness.

Because many words lead to pointlessness, how do people benefit from this? 12Who knows what is best for people in this life, every day of their pointless lives that they pass through like a shadow? Who informs people on earth what will come along after them?

Sorrow is better than laughter, because the heart is made better through trouble.

Never ask "Why does the past seem so much better than now?" because this question does not come from wisdom.

It is good for you to grab hold of this and not let go, because whoever fears God will escape all of these extremes.

So then I recommended enjoyment of life, because it is better on earth for a man to eat, drink, and be happy, since this will stay with him throughout his struggle all the days of his life, which God grants him on earth.

I saw all of it as the activity of God. Frankly, a human being cannot understand what happens on earth, because however hard a man works to discover it, he will not find out. Despite what he thinks he knows, he will not be able to figure it out.

"While someone is among the living, hope remains," because "it is better to be a living dog than to be a dead lion."

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

Find joy in living with your wife whom you love every day of your pointless life that God gave you on earth, because this is your life assignment and your work to do on earth.

Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next world where you're going.

If your overseer gets angry at you, don't resign, because calmness pacifies great offenses.

Through slothfulness the roof deteriorates, and a house leaks because of idleness.

Apportion what you have into seven, or even eight parts, because you don't know what disaster might befall the land.

when that day comes, the palace guards will tremble, strong men will stoop down, women grinders will cease because they are few, and the sight of those who peer through the lattice will grow dim.

At that time they will fear climbing heights and dangers along the road while the almond tree will blossom, and the grasshopper is weighed down. Desire will cease, because the person goes to his eternal home, and mourners will gather in the marketplace.