American Standard Version
"yea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. "
— Ecclesiastes 4:3, American Standard Version
“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.”
“Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.”
“But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.”
“And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.”
“Yes, happier than the dead or the living seemed he who has not ever been, who has not seen the evil which is done under the sun.”
“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.”
Then I returned and saw 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.
Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;
yea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.