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

I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

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?

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

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.

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.

Furthermore, their love, their hate, and their envy have been long lost. Never again will they have a part in what happens on earth.