Study Desk

Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.

Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.

So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.

So I said to myself, "The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?" And I said to myself that this too is futile.

So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun.

I said to myself, "As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts."

For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other-they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile.

So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.

Do not be quick to speak, and do not let your heart hastily utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.

As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.

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

When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?

or wealth lost in a failed venture, so that when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.

As a man came from his mother's womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.