Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better is a handful of quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.
JPS TaNaKH 1917
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 fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Cross References
Proverbs 15:16Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and turmoil therewith.
Proverbs 16:8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
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 →