Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. There is no end to the making of many books, and much study is exhausting to the body.

Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness,

Surely no one knows the future, and no one can tell another person what will happen.

I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?

So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.

I thought to myself, “Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile.

If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

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.

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.

Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions.