Whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor.

Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

So I saw the wicked buried. Indeed they came also from holy place. They went and were praised in the city where they did this. This also is vanity.

This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yes also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

For to him who is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.