1Then I returned and saw 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 . 2Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive ; 3yea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been , who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun . 4Then I saw all labor and every skilful work , that for this a man is envied of his neighbor . This also is vanity and a striving after wind . 5The fool foldeth his hands together , and eateth his own flesh . 6Better is a handful , with quietness , than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind . 7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun . 8There is one that is alone , and he hath not a second ; yea , he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor , neither are his eyes satisfied with riches . For whom then , saith he , do I labor , and deprive my soul of good ? This also is vanity , yea , it is a sore travail . 9Two are better than one , because they have a good reward for their labor . 10For if they fall , the one will lift up his fellow ; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth , and hath not another to lift him up . 11Again , if two lie together , then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone ? 12And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him ; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken .
The Futility of Ambition
13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king , who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more . 14For out of prison he came forth to be king ; yea , even in his kingdom he was born poor . 15I saw all the living that walk under the sun , that they were with the youth , the second , that stood up in his stead . 16There was no end of all the people , even of all them over whom he was : yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him . Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind .