For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice!

What benefit do people get from all the effort which they expend on earth?

All of man’s labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach – yet his appetite is never satisfied!

What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth?

I have observed the burden that God has given to people to keep them occupied.

and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.

Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people:

The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him?

For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins.

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, for the oppression of the king is severe upon his victim.

For the fate of humans and the fate of animals are the same: As one dies, so dies the other; both have the same breath. There is no advantage for humans over animals, for both are fleeting.

For no one knows what is best for a person during his life – during the few days of his fleeting life – for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.

While applying my mind to everything that happens in this world, I have seen all this: Sometimes one person dominates other people to their harm.

Surely, no one knows his appointed time! Like fish that are caught in a deadly net, and like birds that are caught in a snare – just like them, all people are ensnared at an unfortunate time that falls upon them suddenly.

I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight – a harem of beautiful concubines!

Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king’s successor do than what the king has already done?

So I loathed all the fruit of my effort, for which I worked so hard on earth, because I must leave it behind in the hands of my successor.

There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.

I also thought to myself, “It is for the sake of people, so God can clearly show them that they are like animals.

Who really knows if the human spirit ascends upward, and the animal’s spirit descends into the earth?