Ecclesiastes 4:6
<< Ecclesiastes 4:6 >>
New International Version (©1984)
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

New Living Translation (©2007)
And yet, "Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind."

English Standard Version (©2001)
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
One handful of peace and quiet is better than two handfuls of hard work and of trying to catch the wind.

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

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

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

Bible in Basic English
One hand full of rest is better than two hands full of trouble and desire for 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.

English Revised Version
Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind.

Webster's Bible Translation
Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with toil and vexation of spirit.

World English Bible
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

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

Geneva Study Bible

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

Wesley's Notes

4:6 Better - These are the words of the sluggard, making this apology for his idleness, That his little with ease, is better than great riches got with much trouble.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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).

Matthew Henry's Concise 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.


Proverbs 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. (NASB ©1995)

Better Chasing Desire Fists Full Hand Handful Handfuls Hands Labor Pursuit Quietness Rest Spirit Striving Toil Travail Trouble Vexation Wind


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

Ps 37:16 Pr 15:16,17 16:8 17:1

Bible Gateway: Ecclesiastes Chapter 4 Verse 6 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: after and Better chasing fists full hand handful handfuls is labor of one rest striving than the toil tranquillity two wind with

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