2 So I deemed the dead who have already died more fortunate than the living who are still alive.
3 But better off than both of them is the one who has not yet been born and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
4 I also realized that all of the toil and all of the skillful work that is done—it is envy between one man and another. This also is vanity and chasing wind!
5 The fool refuses to work with his hands, so he has nothing to eat except his own skin!
6 Better is one handful with peace than two fists full with toil and chasing wind.
7 I turned again and saw another vanity under the sun.
8 Sometimes a man is all alone with no companion; he also has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eye is not satisfied with wealth. He laments, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity—it is an unhappy business!