Is it not better then for a man to eat and drink, and his soul to be merry in his labour? Yea I saw that this also was a gift of God:

So I perceived, that in these things there is nothing better for a man, then to be merry and to do well so long as he liveth.

Wherefore I perceive, that there is nothing better for a man, than to be joyful in his labour, for that is his portion. But who will bring him to see the thing that shall come after him?

Yea, him that is yet unborn to be better at ease than they both, because he seeth not the miserable works that are done under the Sun.

"One handful," sayeth he, "is better with rest, than both the hands full with labor and travail."

Therefore two are better than one, for they may well enjoy the profit of their labour.

A poor child being wise, is better than an old king that doteth, and cannot beware in time to come.

As for the people that have been before him, and that come after him, they are innumerable: yet is not their joy the greater through him. This is also a vain thing and a vexation of mind. (v17) When thou comest into the house of God, keep thy foot and draw nigh, that thou mayest hear: that is better than the offerings of fools, for they know not what evil they do

If thou promise anything, pay it; for better it is that thou make no vow than that thou shouldest promise, and not pay.

Therefore me think it a better and fairer thing, a man to eat and drink, and to be refreshed of all his labour that he taketh under the Sun all the days of his life which God giveth him: for this is his portion.

If a man beget a hundredth children, and live many years, so that his days are many in number, and yet cannot enjoy his good, neither be buried: as for him I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

The sight of the eyes is better, then that the soul should so depart away. Howbeit, this is also a vain thing and a disquietness of mind.

A good name is more worth than a precious ointment, and the day of death is better than the day of birth.

It is better to go into a house of mourning, than into a banquet house: For there is the end of all men, and he that is living taketh it to heart.

It is better to be sorry than to laugh, for when the countenance is heavy the heart is joyful.

It is better to give ear to the chastening of a wise man, than to hear the song of fools.

The end of a thing is better than the beginning. The patient of spirit is better than the high minded.

Say not thou, "What is the cause that the days of the old time were better than they that be now?" For that were no wise question.

Wisdom is better than riches; yea, much more worth than the eyesight.

Therefore I commend gladness, because a man hath no better thing under the Sun, than to eat and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall he have of his labour all the days of his life, which God giveth him under the Sun.

And why? As long as a man liveth, he is careless: for a quick dog, say they, is better than a dead lion.

Then said I, "Wisdom is better than strength." Nevertheless, a simple man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

For wisdom is better than harness: but one unthrifty alone destroyeth much good.

A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that stingeth without hissing.

Wish the king no evil in thy thought, and speak no hurt of the rich in thy privy chamber; for a bird of the air shall betray thy voice, and with her feathers shall she betray thy words.

Cease not thou therefore with thy hands to sow thy seed, whether it be in the morning or in the evening: for then knowest not whether this or that shall prosper, and if they both take, it is the better.