He thinks non-existence is better than existence
4
📚✭So again I considered all the acts of oppression that are done under the sun, and saw the tears of those being oppressed; and they had no comforter, and the power was on the side of their oppressors; but they had no comforter. 2 📚Therefore I praised the dead who have already died more than the living who are still alive.
3 📚Yes, better off than both of them is the one who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4 📚Again I considered all labour and all successful achievement, that it comes from man’s envy of his neighbour. This is also emptiness and chasing the wind.
5 📚The fool folds his hands together, and consumes his own flesh.
6 📚Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and chasing the wind.
7 📚Then again I looked at emptiness under the sun.
8 📚There is someone without another; also, he has neither child nor brother; yet there is no end to all his labour, nor is his eye satisfied with riches, nor does he say, “For whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good things?” This is also emptiness; yes, it is a sorry business.
The value of friendship
9 📚Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 📚For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one else to help him up.
11 📚Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
12 📚And while one can overpower him who is alone, two can withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Success is meaningless
13 📚Better is a poor and a wise youth than an old and foolish king who will no longer accept advice.
14 📚For he may come out of prison to reign, even though he may have been born poor in his kingdom.
15 📚I saw that all the living under the sun side with the second youth who takes his place.
16 📚There is no end to all these people, to all who were before them; also those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is emptiness and chasing the wind.