Ecclesiastes 4:4

4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 in Other Translations

KJV
4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
ESV
4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
NLT
4 Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
MSG
4 Then I observed all the work and ambition motivated by envy. What a waste! Smoke. And spitting into the wind.
CSB
4 I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man's jealousy of his friend. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 In-Context

2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
3 But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.
6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Ecclesiastes 1:14
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