All things toil continuously; no one can ever finish describing this. The eye is never satisfied with seeing, and the ear is never filled with hearing.

Can one say about anything,
“Look, this is new”?
It has already existed in the ages before us.

That which is crooked can't be made straight; and that which is lacking can't be counted.

Of laughter, I said, Madness! and, of mirth, What can it do?

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.

{The wise man can see where he is walking}, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that both of them suffer the same fate.

For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

What benefit can a worker gain from his toil?

He has made every thing beautiful in its time: also he has put eternity in men's hearts, so that no man can find out the work that God does from the beginning to the end.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him.

I also thought to myself, "It is for the sake of people, so God can clearly show them that they are like animals.

Therefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his lot: for who can bring him to see what shall be after him?

I looked again, and I saw all the oppression that occurs under the sun. {I saw the tears of the oppressed-- no one comforts them! Those who oppress them are powerful-- no one can comfort them}!

Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor.

For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone ?

And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

The former can come out of prison to reign, while the latter, even if born to kingship, may become poor.

As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands.

When God giveth a man riches, goods and honour, so that he wanteth nothing of all that his heart can desire, and yet God giveth him not leave to enjoy the same, but another man spendeth them. This is a vain thing and a miserable plague.

So do the wise [really] have an advantage over fools? {Can the poor [really] gain anything by knowing how to act in front of others}?

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.

Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.

For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Surely oppression can turn a wise person into a fool; likewise, a bribe corrupts the heart.

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

In times of prosperity be joyful, but in times of adversity consider this: God has made one as well as the other, so that no one can discover what the future holds.

That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?

Do not be terrified of his presence! Go at once and do not delay when a matter [is] unpleasant, for he can do anything that he desires.

For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

Just as no one can control the wind to restrain the wind, so also no one can control the day of his death. Just as no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not deliver the wicked.

then I saw all the work of God, that man can't find out the work that is done under the sun, because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he won't find it. Yes even though a wise man thinks he can comprehend it, he won't be able to find it.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner can destroy much good.

One dead fly makes the perfumer's ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom.

If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post, for calmness can undo great offenses.

Someone who quarries stone might be injured; someone splitting logs can fall into danger.

A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?

The work of a fool so wears him out that he can't even find his way to town.