2. God gives a man riches, property, and wealthso that he lacks nothing that his heart desires,yet God does not enable him to enjoy the fruit of his labor – instead, someone else enjoys it!This is fruitless and a grave misfortune.
3. Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years – even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity – even if he were to live forever – I would say, “A stillborn child is better off than he is!”
4. Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness,though its name is shrouded in darkness,
5. though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything,yet it has more rest than that man –
6. if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity.For both of them die!
7. All of man’s labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach – yet his appetite is never satisfied!
8. So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool?And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive?