Ecclesiastes 6:9

Be happy with what you have instead of running after what you don't! But this is also hard to do, like running after the wind.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

In Context

8So then, what real advantage do wise people have over those who are fools? And do poor people really gain anything in knowing how to behave in front of others?

10Everything that exists has already been described. Everyone knows what people are like, and that you can't win an argument with a superior.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 6

Cross References

Job 31:7If I have wandered from God's way, if I have let what I see become my desires, if there's any stain of sin on my hands,

Ecclesiastes 1:2“Everything passes—it's so temporary! It's all so hard to understand!” says the Teacher.

Ecclesiastes 1:17So I decided to use my mind to learn everything about wisdom, and madness and foolishness as well. But I found out that this is as hard as trying to catch hold of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:22What do you get here on earth for all your hard work and worry?

Ecclesiastes 4:4I observed that every skill in work comes from competition with others. Once again this is hard to understand, like trying to hold on to the elusive wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:2God gives wealth, possessions, and honor to someone. They have everything they want. But God doesn't let them enjoy what they have. Instead somebody else does! This is hard to fathom, and is truly evil.

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 →

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Study Ecclesiastes 6:9