Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

◄ Ecclesiastes 4:6 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

English Standard Version
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

New American Standard Bible
One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

King James Bible
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.

International Standard Version
It's better to have one handful of tranquility than to have two handfuls of trouble and to chase after the wind.

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.

Darby Bible Translation
Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.

Young's Literal Translation
Better is a handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.'

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

4:4-6 Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. Let us by honest industry lay hold on the handful, that we may not want necessaries, but not grasp at both hands full, which would only create vexation of spirit. Moderate pains and gains do best.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

6. Hebrew; "One open hand (palm) full of quietness, than both closed hands full of travail." "Quietness" (mental tranquillity flowing from honest labor), opposed to "eating one's own flesh" (Ec 4:5), also opposed to anxious labor to gain (Ec 4:8; Pr 15:16, 17; 16:8).