Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise.
Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.
For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?
We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.
- Ecclesiastes 1:1
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless.
- Ecclesiastes 2:1
After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
- Ecclesiastes 2:3
Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors.
- Ecclesiastes 2:10
These words are also my own.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
How wonderful to be wise, to analyse and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.
Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.
