Ecclesiastes 4:6
One handfull [saith he] is better with rest, then both the handes full with labour and trauayle of mynde.
Bible (Bishops')
In The King James Version
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
In Context
5The foole foldeth his handes together, and eateth vp his owne fleshe.
7Moreouer I turned me, and beholde yet another vanitie vnder the sunne.
Cross References
Proverbs 15:16Better is a litle with the feare of the Lorde: then great treasure, and trouble therwith.
Proverbs 16:8Better it is to haue a litle with ryghteousnesse, then great rentes wrongfully gotten.
Ecclesiastes 1:14Thus haue I considered all these thynges that come to passe vnder the sunne: and lo, they are all but vanitie and vexation of mynde.
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 →