All things are full of toil; none can express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Is there anything about which someone can say, "Look at this! It is new!"? It was already done long ago, before our time.

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 going, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that the same fate happens to them both.

For who can eat, or who be eager, more than I?

What benefit can a worker gain from his toil?

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh 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.

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?

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 alone be warm?

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

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

As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand.

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.

For what profit hath the wise man, over the dullard? What can, the poor man, know - so as to walk before the living?

It is better to focus on what you can see than to meander after your self-interest; this also is pointless and a chasing after 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 knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will 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?

Use well the time of prosperity and remember the time of misfortune: For God maketh one by the other, so that a man can find nothing else.

What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it?

Do not rush out of the king's presence in haste -- do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he can do whatever he pleases.

For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful,
And who will say to him, “What are you doing?”

If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?

Neither is there any man that hath power over the spirit, to keep still the spirit, nor to have any power in the time of death: it is not he also that can make an end of the battle, neither may ungodliness deliver him that meddleth withall.

I understood of all the works of God, that it is not possible for a man, to attain unto works that are done under the Sun: and though he bestow his labour to seek them out, yet can he not reach unto them: yea, though a wise man would undertake to know them, yet might he not find them.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, and a single sinner can destroy a lot of 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 flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response 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.