NET Bible
"Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind."
— Ecclesiastes 4:6, NET Bible
“Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”
“Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind. ”
“Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.”
“Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.”
“One hand full of rest is better than two hands full of trouble and desire for wind.”
“Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”
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!
Labor is Beneficial When Its Rewards Are Shared Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor.