Study Desk

I have seen that nothing is better than when a person is happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?

I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and striving after wind.

There was a man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches, and he never asked, "And for whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?" This too is futility, and it is an unhappy task.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor;

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction—

Do not be quick with your mouth or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.

For the dream comes through much effort, and the voice of a fool through many words.

When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!

Do not let your speech cause you to sin, and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

After all, a king who cultivates the field is beneficial to the land.

There is a sickening evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth being hoarded by its owner to his detriment.

When that wealth was lost through bad business and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him.

This also is a sickening evil: exactly as a person is born, so will he die. What then is the advantage for him who labors for the wind?

a person to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor, so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God has not given him the opportunity to enjoy these things, but a foreigner enjoys them. This is futility and a severe affliction.

If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they may be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, "Better the miscarriage than he,

for a miscarriage comes in futility and goes into darkness; and its name is covered in darkness.

"Even if the man lives a thousand years twice, but does not see good things—do not all go to one and the same place?"

All a person's labor is for his mouth, and yet his appetite is not satisfied.

For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a person?