I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.