1:7 All the streams flow into the sea, but the sea is not full,
and to the place where the streams flow, there they will flow again.
2:1 “Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.”
But I found that it also is futile.
2:14 The wise man can see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness.
Yet I also realized that the same fate happens to them both.
4:3 But better than both is the one who has not been born
and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.
4:10 For if they fall, one will help his companion up,
but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.
4:11 Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm,
but how can one person keep warm by himself?
4:13 A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king
who no longer knows how to receive advice.
5:12 The sleep of the laborer is pleasant – whether he eats little or much –
but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep.
7:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking.
7:12 For wisdom provides protection,
just as money provides protection.
But the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
7:23 I have examined all this by wisdom;
I said, “I am determined to comprehend this” – but it was beyond my grasp.
8:13 But it will not go well with the wicked,
nor will they prolong their days like a shadow,
because they do not stand in fear before God.
9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything;
they have no further reward – and even the memory of them disappears.
9:16 So I concluded that wisdom is better than might,
but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice.
12:9 Not only was the Teacher wise,
but he also taught knowledge to the people;
he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs.