1
Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter-- On the side of their oppressors there is power, But they have no comforter.
2
Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, More than the living who are still alive.
3
Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4
Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
5
The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.
6
Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
7
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
8
There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, "For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?" This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.
9
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.