Dual Panel1Again, I considered all the acts of oppression perpetrated under the sun; I saw the tears of the oppressed, and there was no one to comfort them. Power was on the side of their oppressors, and there was no one to afford comfort.
2I accounted the dead happy because they were already dead, happier than the living who still have lives to live;
3more fortunate than either I reckoned those yet unborn, who have not witnessed the wicked deeds done here under the sun.
4I considered all toil and all achievement and saw that it springs from rivalry between one person and another. This too is futility and a chasing of the wind.
5The fool folds his arms and wastes away.
6Better one hand full, along with peace of mind, than two full, along with toil; that is a chasing of the wind.
7Here again I saw futility under the sun:
8someone without a friend, without son or brother, toiling endlessly yet never satisfied with his wealth -- “For whom”, he asks, “am I toiling and denying myself the good things of life?” This too is futile, a worthless task.
9Two are better than one, for their partnership yields this advantage:
10if one falls, the other can help his companion up again; but woe betide the solitary person who when down has no partner to help him up.
11And if two lie side by side they keep each other warm; but how can one keep warm by himself?
12If anyone is alone, an assailant may overpower him, but two can resist; and a cord of three strands is not quickly snapped.
13Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will listen no longer to advice.
14One who has been in prison may well rise to be king, though born a pauper in his future kingdom.
15But I have studied all life here under the sun, and I saw his place taken by yet another young man,
16and no limit set to the number of people he ruled. He in turn will give no joy to those who come after him. This too is futility and a chasing of the wind.