What profit has a man of all his labor which he takes under the sun?

I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What use is it?

I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men, which they should do under heaven all the days of their life.

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can a man do that comes after the king? even that which has been already done.

For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart, with which he has labored under the sun?

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

Therefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his lot: for who can bring him to see what shall be after him?

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: so what good is there to the owners, except the beholding of them with their eyes?

And this also is a great evil, that just as he came, so shall he go: and what profit has he who has labored for the wind?

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

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

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

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What are you doing?

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for you know not what evil shall be upon the earth.

As you know not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so you know not the works of God who makes all.