A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.

I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live,

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

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.

It is better for you not to vow than to vow and not pay it.

Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.

It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools.

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

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

Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor.

A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.

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.

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

So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?

It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.

It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings.

But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion.

Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works.

For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.