Ecclesiastes 4:16 — Meaning and Application

Ecclesiastes 4:1

"So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of {such as were} oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors {there was} power; but they had no comforter. {side: Heb. hand}"

Ecclesiastes 4:2

"Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive."

Ecclesiastes 4:3

"Yea, better {is he} than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 4:4

"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. {every...: Heb. all the rightness of work} {for this...: Heb. this is the envy of a man from his neighbour}"

Ecclesiastes 4:5

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

Ecclesiastes 4:6

"Better {is} an handful {with} quietness, than both the hands full {with} travail and vexation of spirit."