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The Evils of Oppression
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.
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.
Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless.
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living.
Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun.
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.
Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless — like chasing the wind.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
“Fools fold their idle hands,
leading them to ruin.”
leading them to ruin.”
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
And yet,
“Better to have one handful with quietness
than two handfuls with hard work
and chasing the wind.”
“Better to have one handful with quietness
than two handfuls with hard work
and chasing the wind.”
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
The Advantages of Companionship
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
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 up.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
The Futility of Power
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
The Futility of Political Power
It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison.
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
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.