Ecclesiastes 4:6

Ecclesiastes 4:6 in 10 English translations. Each links through to the full chapter for context.

New International Version (NIV)

6Better one handful with tranquillity

than two handfuls with toil

and chasing after the wind.

6One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

6One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind.

6Better one handful with tranquility

than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.

6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

6Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.

6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

6One handful with peace and quiet

is better than two handfuls with hard work.

Working too hard is like chasing the wind.

6It is good to have only a little food and be happy.

It is better than too much hard work that gives you a lot of food.

That is as useless as somebody who tries to catch the wind.

6“Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than two handfuls [with] labor and distress of spirit.”