Ecclesiastes 6:9
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.
Douay-Rheims 1899
In The King James Version
In Context
Cross References
Job 31:7If my step hath turned out of the way, and if my heart hath followed my eyes, and if a spot hath cleaved to my hands:
Ecclesiastes 1:2Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes vanity of vanities, and all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 1:17And I have given my heart to know prudence, and learning, and errors, and folly: and I have perceived that in these also there was labour, and vexation of spirit,
Ecclesiastes 2:22For what profit shall a man have of all his labour, and vexation of spirit, with which he bath been tormented under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 4:4Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
Ecclesiastes 6:2A man to whom God hath given riches, and substance, and honour, and his soul wanteth nothing of all that he desireth: yet God doth not give him power to eat thereof, but a stranger shall eat it up. This is vanity and a great misery.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 6:8-11
The Insatiableness of Desire. 7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. 8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. The preacher here further shows the vanity and folly of… Read the whole commentary →