NET Bible
"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."
— Ecclesiastes 6:9, NET Bible
“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.”
“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.”
if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die!
All of man’s labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach– yet his appetite is never satisfied!
So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive?
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.
The Futile Way Life Works Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is.
The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him?
For no one knows what is best for a person during his life– during the few days of his fleeting life– for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.