There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;

I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?

But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.

It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he,

It never sees the sun and it never knows anything; it is better off than he.

What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.

A good name is better than a good ointment,
And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.

It is better to go to a house of mourning
Than to go to a house of feasting,
Because that is the end of every man,
And the living takes it to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man
Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her.

For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion.

So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded.

The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.