Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.

Then I saw that wisdom is better than foolish ways--as the light is better than the dark.

before the sun and the light are darkened,
and the moon and the stars,
and the clouds return after the rain;

In light of all of this, I committed myself to explain it this way: the righteous and the wise, along with everything they do, are in the hands of God. Furthermore, as to love and hate, no human being knows everything concerning them.

Just as no human being has control over the wind to restrain it, so also no human being has control over the day of his death. Just as no one is discharged during war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

If a serpent strikes despite being charmed, there's no point in being a snake charmer.

This an evil in all being done under the sun, thus one event is to all: and also the heart of the sons of man being full of evil, and folly in their heart in their living, and after it to their deaths.

For also man knew not his time: as the fishes being laid hold of in an evil net, and as the birds laid hold of in the snare, as they, the sons of men being snared for an evil time, as it will fall upon them suddenly.

For what advantage has the wise man over the fool [for being worldly-wise is not the secret to happiness]? What advantage has the poor man who has learned how to walk [publicly] among the living [with men’s eyes on him; for being poor is not the secret to happiness either]?

And the advantage of a land, it is for all; even a king has a field being tilled.

I myself, the Preacher, being king of Israel and Jerusalem,

A poor child being wise, is better than an old king that doteth, and cannot beware in time to come.