MSB ECC Chapter 6

The Futility of Life

There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind: 2 God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.

3 

A man may father a hundred [children] and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives if he vvv is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For [a stillborn child] enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity. 5 [The child], though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than [that man], 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

7 

All a man’s labor [is] for his mouth,

yet his appetite is never satisfied.[fn]

8 

What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What [gain comes] to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others? 9 Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

10 

Whatever exists was named long ago, and it is known what man [is]; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he. 11 For vvv the more words, the more futility — and how does that profit anyone? 12 For who knows what is good for a man during the few days [in which] he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?