I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

For what happens to people also happens to animals a single event happens to them: just as someone dies, so does the other. In fact, they all breathe the same way, so that a human being has no superiority over an animal. All of this is pointless.

Don't be surprised when you see the poor oppressed and the violent perverting both justice and verdicts in a province, for one high official watches another, and there are ones higher still over them.

For he will not brood much over the days of his life, since God will keep him occupied with the joys of his heart.

Even if he lives a thousand years twice over without experiencing the best aren't all of them going to the same place?

For what advantage has the wise person over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have in knowing how to face life?

Just as no human being has control over the wind to restrain it, so also no human being has control over the day of his death. Just as no one is discharged during war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.