Add parallel Print Page Options

Better is a handful with tranquility
    than two handfuls of toil
    and striving after the wind.

Again I saw something futile under the sun:
There is one who has no one else,
neither son nor brother,
yet there is no end to all his toil.
His eyes are not content with riches.
“So, for whom am I toiling,
and depriving myself of prosperity?”
This too is meaningless—
a grievous task!

Read full chapter

Better one handful with tranquillity
    than two handfuls with toil(A)
    and chasing after the wind.

Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:

There was a man all alone;
    he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
    yet his eyes were not content(B) with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
    “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
    a miserable business!

Read full chapter