The end of a matter is better than its beginning; likewise, patience is better than pride.

The wind goes to the south and circles around to the north; round and round the wind goes and on its rounds it returns.

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

He who watches the wind will not sow, and he who observes the clouds will not reap.

I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile – like chasing the wind!

Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind.

It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile – like chasing the wind.

Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life’s breath returns to God who gave it.

Just as no one has power over the wind to restrain it, so no one has power over the day of his death. Just as no one can be discharged during the battle, so wickedness cannot rescue the wicked.

So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless – like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”

So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile – like chasing the wind.

This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?

If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.

For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth – only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile – like chasing the wind!

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.

Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless – like chasing the wind.

There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations, yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.

Just as you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones form in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.