Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.
Majority Standard Bible
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 folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.
7Again, I saw futility under the sun.
Cross References
Proverbs 15:16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
Proverbs 16:8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the 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 →