Never Satisfied
A man can have wealth, honor, and a hundred children and still not be permitted to enjoy any of it; the Teacher says a stillborn child has more rest than he does. Appetite is never filled, wisdom buys no advantage, and no one knows what follows.
6 1There is an evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity: 2A man God gives wealth, riches, and honor, lacking nothing his soul desires—yet God doesn't let him eat from it; a stranger eats it instead. This is fleeting, a miserable sickness.
3If a man fathers one hundred children and lives many years—however long his life—but his soul isn't satisfied with good things, and he isn't even buried, I say a stillborn child is better off than he is. 4It comes in vapor and goes into darkness; darkness covers its name. 5Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than that man. 6Even if he lives 1,000 years twice over without ever enjoying good, don't all go to the same place? 7All a person's toil is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. 8What advantage has the wise over the fool? What does the poor person gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others? 9Better the sight of eyes than desire's wandering. This too is fleeting, a chasing after the wind. 10Whatever exists was already named, and what man is, is known; and he cannot dispute with one stronger than himself.
11The more words, the more fleeting it all becomes, and how does that profit anyone? 12For who knows what is good for a person in the few days of their fleeting life, passed like a shadow? For who can tell them what will happen after them under the sun?
