Catholic Public Domain Version
"It is better to see what you desire, than to desire what you cannot know. But this, too, is emptiness and a presumption of spirit. "
— Ecclesiastes 6:9, Catholic Public Domain Version
“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.”
“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind. ”
“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.”
“It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile– like chasing the wind.”
“Better it is to see what thou mayst desire, than to desire that which thou canst not know. But this also is vanity, and presumption of spirit.”
“What the eyes see is better than the wandering of desire. This is to no purpose and a desire for wind.”
“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.”
Even if he were to live for two thousand years, and yet not thoroughly enjoy what is good, does not each one hurry on to the same place?
Every labor of man is for his mouth, but his soul will not be filled.
What do the wise have which is more than the foolish? And what does the pauper have, except to continue on to that place, where there is life?
It is better to see what you desire, than to desire what you cannot know. But this, too, is emptiness and a presumption of spirit.
Whoever shall be in the future, his name has already been called. And it is known that he is a man and that he is not able to contend in judgment against one who is stronger than himself.
There are many words, and many of these, in disputes, hold much emptiness.