What profit has man from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?

I said of laughter, It is mad, and of mirth, What does it do?

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine (my heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom), and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of th

And I turned myself to behold wisdom and madness and folly. For what [can] the man [do] who comes after the king? [Even] that which has been done long ago.

For what has a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart in which he labors under the sun?

What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?

Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion. For who shall bring him [back] to see what shall be after him?

When goods increase, they are increased who eat them. And what advantage is there to the owner of it, except the beholding [of them] with his eyes?

And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he that he labored for the wind?

For what advantage has the wise man more than the fool? What has the poor man, who knows how to walk before the living?

Whatever has been, the name of it was given long ago, and it is know what man is. Neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.

Since there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Say thou not, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? For thou do not inquire wisely concerning this.

For the king's word [has] power, and who may say to him, What are thou doing?

A fool also multiplies words; [yet] man knows not what shall be, and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?

Give a portion to seven, yea, even to eight, for thou know not what evil shall be upon the earth.

As thou know not what is the way of the wind, [nor] how the bones [grow] in the womb of her who is with child, even so thou know not the work of God who does all.