Ecclesiastes 4:5

The dullard, claspeth his hands, and consumeth his own flesh.

The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham

In The King James Version

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

In Context

4Then saw, I, all the toil and all the skill of the work, that, for this, a man was envied of his neighbour,—even this, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.

6Better a handful—with quietness,—than both hands, full—with toil, and feeding on wind.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

Proverbs 6:9How long, O sluggard, wilt thou lie? how long ere thou rise from thy sleep?

Proverbs 6:11So shall come in, as a highwayman, thy poverty, and, thy want, as one armed with a shield.

Proverbs 12:27Indolence, roasteth not, his own game, but, the substance of a man, is precious, when he is diligent.

Proverbs 20:4By reason of the autumn, a sluggard will not plough, therefore shall he beg in harvest, and there be nothing.

Isaiah 9:20And he hath slain on the right, and yet is hungry, And hath eaten on the left, yet are they not satisfied,—Every one, the flesh of his own arm, will they eat:

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 →

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