Ecclesiastes 4:1-8

1Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter— On the side of their oppressors there is power, But they have no comforter.

2Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, More than the living who are still alive.

3Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

5The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.

6Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

8There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, “For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.