Ecclesiastes 4:5
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
King James Version
In Context
6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Cross References
Proverbs 6:9How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Proverbs 6:11So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Proverbs 12:27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Proverbs 20:4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Isaiah 9:20And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:5-7
The Prevalence of Oppression. 4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6 Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. Here Solomon returns to the observation and consideration of the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend the business of this world, which he had spoken of before, ch. ii.… Read the whole commentary →