Study Desk

For who knows what is good for a person during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a person what will happen after him under the sun?

A good name is better than good oil, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.

It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every person, And the living takes it to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise person Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility.

For oppression makes a wise person look foolish, And a bribe corrupts the heart.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than arrogance of spirit.

On the day of prosperity be happy, But on the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other So that a person will not discover anything that will come after him.

I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous person who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked person who prolongs his life in his wickedness.

Wisdom strengthens a wise person more than ten rulers who are in a city.

Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin.

which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these.

Who is like the wise person and who knows the meaning of a matter? A person's wisdom illuminates his face and makes his stern face brighten up.

"Do not be in a hurry to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases."

One who keeps a royal command experiences no trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure.

For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a person's trouble is heavy upon him.

All this I have seen, and have applied my mind to every deed that has been done under the sun at a time when one person has exercised authority over another person to his detriment.

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will go well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly.

But it will not go well for the evil person and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.