So I thought to myself, “The fate of the fool will happen even to me! Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively wise?” So I lamented to myself, “The benefits of wisdom are ultimately meaningless!”

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

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.

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.

Banish emotional stress from your mind. and put away pain from your body; for youth and the prime of life are fleeting.

though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man –

The Teacher says: I discovered this while trying to discover the scheme of things, item by item.

For he came out of prison to become king, even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom.

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

This is the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives – then they die.

For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward – and even the memory of them disappears.

If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!

Just as dreams come when there are many cares, so the rash vow of a fool occurs when there are many words.

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

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

if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die!

I thought to myself, “I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”

Be careful what you do when you go to the temple of God; draw near to listen rather than to offer a sacrifice like fools, for they do not realize that they are doing wrong.

Surely, he ate in darkness every day of his life, and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.