Study Desk

And I saw that the cause of all the work and of everything which is done well was man's envy of his neighbour. This again is to no purpose and a desire for wind.

The foolish man, folding his hands, takes the flesh of his body for food.

One hand full of rest is better than two hands full of trouble and desire for wind.

It is one who is by himself, without a second, and without son or brother; but there is no end to all his work, and he has never enough of wealth. For whom, then, am I working and keeping myself from pleasure? This again is to no purpose, and a bitter work.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their work.

There was no end of all the people, of all those whose head he was, but they who come later will have no delight in him. This again is to no purpose and desire for wind.

Put your feet down with care when you go to the house of God, for it is better to give ear than to make the burned offerings of the foolish, whose knowledge is only of doing evil.

It is good generally for a country where the land is worked to have a king.

He who has a love for silver never has enough silver, or he who has love for wealth, enough profit. This again is to no purpose.

And this again is a great evil, that in all points as he came so will he go; and what profit has he in working for the wind?

This is what I have seen: it is good and fair for a man to take meat and drink and to have joy in all his work under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; that is his reward.

All the work of man is for his mouth, and still he has a desire for food.

What the eyes see is better than the wandering of desire. This is to no purpose and a desire for wind.

There are words without number for increasing what is to no purpose, but what is man profited by them?

Who is able to say what is good for man in life all the days of his foolish life which he goes through like a shade? who will say what is to be after him under the sun?

It is better to take note of the protest of the wise, than for a man to give ear to the song of the foolish.

Do not give ear to all the words which men say, for fear of hearing the curses of your servant.

I gave my mind to knowledge and to searching for wisdom and the reason of things, and to the discovery that sin is foolish, and that to be foolish is to be without one's senses.

For which my soul is still searching, but I have it not; one man among a thousand have I seen; but a woman among all these I have not seen.

I say to you, Keep the king's law, from respect for the oath of God.