Ecclesiastes 4:6
“Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than two handfuls [with] labor and distress of spirit.”
Literal Standard Version
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 is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:
7And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:
Cross References
Proverbs 15:16Better [is] a little with the fear of YHWH, || Than much treasure, and tumult with it.
Proverbs 16:8Better [is] a little with righteousness, || Than abundance of increase without justice.
Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the works that have been done under the sun, and behold, the whole [is] vanity and distress of spirit!
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 →