Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
KJV
Parallel translations
4 additional translations▾
Parallel translations
4 additional translationsBetter is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
Better is the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
About this book
Old Testament▾
About this book
Old TestamentEcclesiastes — Qohelet the Preacher — ''vanity of vanities, all is vanity.'' The book's relentless examination of life under the sun, resolving not in despair but in ''fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.''
- Author
- Traditional: Solomon (''son of David, king in Jerusalem''). Critical: a later Qohelet figure writing in Solomonic persona. §7.9 surfaces; Pastor Marc's drawer carries the position.
- Date
- Solomonic reading: c. 940 BC. Critical reading: Persian or early Hellenistic period (5th–3rd century BC).