All things are wearisome, more than anyone can say. The eye is not satisfied by seeing or the ear filled with hearing.

For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases.

The Emptiness of Pleasure

I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile.

I explored with my mind the pull of wine on my body—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—and how to grasp folly, until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.

When there is a person whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a person who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong.

For what does a person get with all his work and all his efforts that he labors at under the sun?

For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.

Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.

There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “Who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself of good things?” This too is futile and a miserable task.

For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

Just as dreams accompany much labor, so also a fool’s voice comes with many words.

Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?

For many dreams bring futility; so do many words. Therefore, fear God.

The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.

When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes?

What is more, he eats in darkness all his days, with much frustration, sickness, and anger.

for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what mankind is. But he is not able to contend with the one stronger than he.

It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them.

Because the sentence against an evil act is not carried out quickly, the heart of people is filled with the desire to commit evil.

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before him.

However, it will not go well with the wicked, and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God.

Everything is the same for everyone: There is one fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not sacrifice. As it is for the good, so also it is for the sinner; as it is for the one who takes an oath, so also for the one who fears an oath.