“1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done
under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and
they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was]
power; but they had no comforter. 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which
are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. 3 Yea, better
[is he] than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the
evil work that is done under the sun.”
“4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for
this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and
vexation of spirit. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth
his own flesh. 6 Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the
hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit.”
“7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8 There is one
[alone], and [there is] not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor
brother: yet [is there] no end of all his labour; neither is his eye
satisfied with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labour, and
bereave my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yea, it [is] a sore
travail. 9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward
for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:
but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not
another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have
heat: but how can one be warm [alone]? 12 And if one prevail against
him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly
broken.”
“13 Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king,
who will no more be admonished. 14 For out of prison he cometh to reign;
whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15 I
considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second
child that shall stand up in his stead. 16 [There is] no end of all the
people, [even] of all that have been before them: they also that come
after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also [is] vanity and
vexation of spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 AV)