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?

Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam.

But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.

Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler—

I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.