1Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity: 2God gives a person riches, wealth, and honor so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy. 3A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. 5Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. 6And if a person lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?
7All of a person’s labor is for his stomach,
yet the appetite is never satisfied.
8What advantage then does the wise person have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others? 9Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
10Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what mankind is. But he is not able to contend with the one stronger than he. 11For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind? 12For who knows what is good for anyone in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell anyone what will happen after him under the sun?