Ecclesiastes 4

Then I returned and saw 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.

Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive ;

yea, better than them both `did I esteem' him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor . This also is vanity and a striving after wind .

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

Better is a handful , with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind .

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother ; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches . For whom then, ` saith he ' , do I labor , and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

Two are better than one , because they have a good reward for their labor .

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow ; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth , and hath not another to lift him up.

Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm ` alone ' ?

And if a man prevail against him that is alone , two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

For out of prison he came forth to be king ; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second , that stood up in his stead.

There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was : yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind .