NET Bible
"The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh."
— Ecclesiastes 4:5, NET Bible
“The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.”
“The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. ”
“The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.”
“The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:”
“The foolish man, folding his hands, takes the flesh of his body for food.”
“The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.”
So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive.
But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.
Labor Motivated by Envy Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless– like chasing the wind.
The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.
Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind.
Labor Motivated by Greed So I again considered another futile thing on earth:
A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments,“For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is futile and a burdensome task!