King James Version (KJV) Authorized Version 1611
Read Full Chapter (Ecclesiastes 4) Ecclesiastes 4:4-5 KJV
"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. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh."
Ecclesiastes 4:4-5 in Context (Verses 1–8 KJV)
1
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
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3
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.
4
¶ 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
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7
¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8
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.