I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!

I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart.

There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!

A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.

Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind:

A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.

Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man—

for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.

while I was still searching but not finding— I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all.

This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.”

All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt.

Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.

So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.

Invest in Many Ventures

Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.

However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.

The Conclusion of the Matter

Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.

Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.