[1] Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people: [2] God gives a man riches, property, and wealth so that he lacks nothing that his heart desires, yet God does not enable him to enjoy the fruit of his labor-instead, someone else enjoys it! This is fruitless and a grave misfortune. [3] Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity-even if he were to live forever-I would say, "A stillborn child is better off than he is." [4] Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness, [5] though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man- [6] if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die! [7] All man's labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach-yet his appetite is never satisfied! [8] So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive? [9] It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile-like chasing the wind. [10] Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is. [11] The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him? [12] For no one knows what is best for a person during his life-during the few days of his fleeting life-for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.
