What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

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

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

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

For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

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

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

And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

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

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

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

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 thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.