Ecclesiastes 6:8

8 What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 in Other Translations

8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living?

8 So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others?

8 So what advantage has a sage over a fool, or over some poor wretch who barely gets by?

8 What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? What [advantage] is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 6:8

For what hath the wise more than the fool
More delight and pleasure, in gratifying his senses, by eating and drinking: the wise man enjoys no more than the fool; the fool finds as much pleasure in the labour of his hands, which is for his mouth, as the wise man does; and the wise man can get no more satisfaction to his mind, from these outward gratifications, than the fool; what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
either, what does the poor man want more than the rich man, that knows how to get his bread, and is diligent and industrious among men to live, and does get a livelihood for himself and family; he enjoys all the sweets and comforts of life, as well as the rich man: or what hath the poor knowing man? as Aben Ezra interprets it, according to the accents; what has he more or does he enjoy more, than the poor foolish man, provided he has but sense enough to behave himself among men, so as to have bread to eat, and clothes to wear; which is as much as any man can enjoy, be he ever so rich or so wise?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 In-Context

6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

7 Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.

8 What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?

9 Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

10 Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger.

Cross References

• 1. S Ecclesiastes 2:15