Chapter 4

  So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.  

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  Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.  

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  Yes, better is he than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.  

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

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  The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.  

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

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  Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.  

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  There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a grievous labor.  

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

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  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him to rise.  

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  Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?  

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  And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.  

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  Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.  

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  For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.  

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  I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.  

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  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.  

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