All this monotony is tiresome; no one can bear to describe it: The eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear ever content 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.

Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king's successor do than what the king has already done?

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 no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him.

What benefit can a worker gain from his toil?

I also know that whatever God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken away from it. God has made it this way, so that men will fear him.

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

So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?

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

Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself?

Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.

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.

For no one knows what is best for a person during his life -- during the few days of his fleeting life -- for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.

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 straight what he has bent?

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.

Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding; it is far deeper than anyone can fathom.

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.

Surely the king's authority is absolute; no one can say to him, "What are you doing?"

Surely no one knows the future, and no one can tell another person what will happen.

Just as no one has power over the wind to restrain it, so no one has power over the day of his death. Just as no one can be discharged during the battle, so wickedness cannot rescue the wicked.

then I discerned all that God has done: No one really comprehends what happens on earth. Despite all human efforts to discover it, no one can ever grasp it. Even if a wise person claimed that he understood, he would not really comprehend it.

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

yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?