Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors.

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.

Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless.

When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him.

We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.

God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart.

Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart.

So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!

A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.

If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.