I said of partying, "It is folly," and of self-indulgent pleasure, "It accomplishes nothing!"

I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, "I am determined to comprehend this" -- but it was beyond my grasp.

Here is another enigma that occurs on earth: Sometimes there are righteous people who get what the wicked deserve, and sometimes there are wicked people who get what the righteous deserve. I said, "This also is an enigma."

Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.

Sow your seed in the morning, and do not stop working until the evening; for you do not know which activity will succeed -- whether this one or that one, or whether both will prosper equally.

Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for a person to see the sun.