Ecclesiastes 4:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4-6

Here Solomon returns to the observation and consideration of the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend the business of this world, which he had spoken of before, Eccl. 2:11. I. If a man be acute, and dexterous, and successful in his business, he gets the ill-will of his neighbours, Eccl. 4:4. Though he takes a great deal of pains, and goes through all travail, does not get his estate easily, but it costs him a great deal of hard labour, nor does he get it dishonestly, he wrongs no man,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better is a handful with quietness ,.... These are the words of the fool, according to Aben Ezra; and which is the sense of other interpreters, particularly Mr. Broughton, who connects this verse with Ecclesiastes 4:5 by adding at the end of that the word "saying"; making an excuse or an apology for himself and conduct, from the use and profitableness of his sloth; that little had with ease, and without toil and labour, is much better than both the hands full with travail and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better is a handful with quietness - These may be the words of the slothful man, and spoken in vindication of his idleness; as if he had said, "Every man who labors and amasses property is the object of envy, and is marked by the oppressor as a subject for spoil; better, therefore, to act as I do; gain little, and have little, and enjoy my handful with quietness." Or the words may contain Solomon's reflection on the subject. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Section 5. Koheleth proceeds to give further illustrations of man ' s inability to be the architect of his own happiness . There are many things which interrupt or destroy it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4-6

Secondly, success meets with envy, and produces no lasting good to the worker; yet, however unsatisfactory the result, man must continue to labor, as idleness is ruin. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better is a handful with quietness ; literally, better a hand full of rest . Than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit ; literally, than two hands full of travail , etc . This verse, which has been variously interpreted, is most simply regarded as the fool's defense of his indolence, either expressed in his own words or fortified by a proverbial saying. One open hand full of quietness and rest is preferable to two closed hands full of toil and vain effort. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:6

Either the fool’s sarcasm on his successful but restless neighbor; or the comment of Solomon recommending contentment with a moderate competence. The former meaning seems preferable. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 4:6

Ecclesiastes 4:6. Better is a handful with quietness, &c. These are the words, either, 1st, Of the sluggard, making this apology for his idleness, that his little, with ease, is better than great riches got with much trouble; or, 2d, of Solomon, who elsewhere speaks to the same purpose, and here proposes this antidote against the vanity of immoderate cares and labours for worldly goods, against which he industriously directs his speech in divers places of this book, and particularly in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

The uselessness of achievement (4:4-16)Several examples illustrate how useless much human activity is. Some people drive themselves in their work but can never relax and enjoy it, because they are always worrying about being ahead of everyone else. Others do not work at all and so ruin themselves. Both extremes should be avoided. People should work for a living and enjoy it, but they should not be so ambitious that they create trouble for themselves (4-6).Other unhappy people are those who... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:5-6

Ecclesiastes 4:5-6. The fool foldeth his hands, &c.— The fool, folding his hands together, and eating his own flesh, saith, Better is the palm of one hand full of rest, than both the hands full of work, and that which goes with the wind. Desvoeux; who observes, that metaphors derived from images which are not familiar to us, and which on that account may at first appear almost unintelligible, are sometimes easily understood, when you compare therewith the context: thus the expression,... read more

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