Is there anything about which someone can say, "Look at this! It is new!"? It was already done long ago, before our time.

Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years -- even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity -- even if he were to live forever -- I would say, "A stillborn child is better off than he is!"

Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these days?" for it is not wise to ask that.

Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say; otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you.

The Teacher says: I discovered this while trying to discover the scheme of things, item by item.

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

So remember your Creator in the days of your youth -- before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";