Catholic Public Domain Version
"And happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which are done under the sun. "
— Ecclesiastes 4:3, Catholic Public Domain 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.”
“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. ”
“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.”
I turned myself to other things, and I saw the false accusations which are carried out under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and that there was no one to console them; and that they were not able to withstand their violence, being destitute of all help.
And so, I praised the dead more than the living.
And happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which are done under the sun.
Again, I was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety.
The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying:
“A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.”