The Pain of Oppression
Study note
The Teacher sees people suffering under cruel rulers and has deep sympathy for them. The oppressed people have no one to comfort them, while their oppressors hold all the power. This unfairness is so painful that the Teacher says those who have already died, or who were never born, are better off.
1 I took another look at all the cruelty happening in this world. I watched people being mistreated, tears streaming down their faces, and nobody was there to comfort them. Their oppressors held all the power, and the victims had no one on their side. So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
2 I decided that the dead, who are already gone, are better off than the living who are still struggling here. Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3 But even better off than both of them is the person who was never born at all. That person never had to see all the terrible things that happen in this world. Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
The Problem with Envy and Laziness
Study note
The Teacher notices that much of people's hard work comes from wanting to be better than their neighbors. This competitive drive is also temporary, like chasing the wind. But being lazy and doing nothing is equally foolish. The balance is finding peace with a little, rather than stressing over having a lot.
4 I also noticed that every great work comes from one person being jealous of another. This too is short-lived and like chasing the wind. Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 Only a fool sits around doing nothing with their arms crossed, wasting away in the process. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Still, one handful of peace is better than two handfuls of hard work and chasing the wind. Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Two Are Better Than One
Study note
The Teacher observes people who work alone with no family or partners. They work endlessly but never ask, "Who am I doing this for?" He then celebrates the value of friendship and partnership. Two people can help each other when one falls, keep each other warm, and defend each other. A rope made of three cords is not easily broken.
7 I noticed something else in this world that made no sense. Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither says he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him who is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 When two people lie close together, they stay warm. But how does a person alone keep warm? Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 One person by themselves can be overpowered, but two standing together can defend themselves. And a rope woven from three strands is not going to snap easily. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
The Limits of Fame and Power
Study note
A poor but wise young person is better than an old king who refuses to listen to advice. Even someone who rises from prison to the throne will eventually be replaced and forgotten. Popularity and power never last.
13 A young person who is poor but wise is better off than a king who is old and foolish. That old king is too stubborn to listen to anyone. Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 That young person might rise from prison to the throne, even though they started with nothing in the kingdom. For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 I watched everyone alive under the sun rally behind the young successor who took the old king's place. I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
16 The crowds following him seemed to go on forever. Yet the next generation will not be impressed by him either. This too is fleeting and like chasing the wind. There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.