Ecclesiastes 9:4

There is no one who lives forever, or who even has confidence in this regard. A living dog is better than a dead lion.

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

In Context

3This is a very great burden among all things that are done under the sun: that the same things happen to everyone. And when the hearts of the sons of men are filled with malice and contempt in their lives, afterwards they shall be dragged down to hell.

5For the living know that they themselves will die, yet truly the dead know nothing anymore, nor do they have any recompense. For the memory of them is forgotten.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 9

Cross References

Job 27:8For what hope is there for the hypocrite, if he greedily plunders and God does not free his soul?

Lamentations 3:21ZAIN. These recollections are in my heart; therefore, I shall hope.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 9:2-4

Mysteries in Providence. 1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. 2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 3 This… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 9:4