Then I saw that wisdom is better than foolish ways--as the light is better than the dark.

There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;

And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.

As for the people that have been before him, and that come after him, they are innumerable: yet is not their joy the greater through him. This is also a vain thing and a vexation of mind. (v17) When thou comest into the house of God, keep thy foot and draw nigh, that thou mayest hear: that is better than the offerings of fools, for they know not what evil they do

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil.

It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

Therefore me think it a better and fairer thing, a man to eat and drink, and to be refreshed of all his labour that he taketh under the Sun all the days of his life which God giveth him: for this is his portion.

If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he,

It never sees the sun and it never knows anything; it is better off than he.

What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.

Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

A good name is better than a good ointment,
And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.

It is better to go to a house of mourning
Than to go to a house of feasting,
Because that is the end of every man,
And the living takes it to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man
Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

Wisdom is better than riches; yea, much more worth than the eyesight.

Indeed, wisdom gives protection, just like money does, but it's better to know that wisdom gives life, to those who have mastered it.

Wisdom given as strength to a wise person is better than having ten powerful men in the city.

Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.

So I gave praise to joy, because there is nothing better for a man to do under the sun than to take meat and drink and be happy; for that will be with him in his work all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

For him who is joined to all the living there is hope; a living dog is better than a dead lion.

Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength, but the poor man's wisdom is not respected, and his words are not given a hearing.

The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Wisdom is better than instruments of war, but one sinner is the destruction of much good.

A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that stingeth without hissing.

Cease not thou therefore with thy hands to sow thy seed, whether it be in the morning or in the evening: for then knowest not whether this or that shall prosper, and if they both take, it is the better.