Ecclesiastes 6:9 “Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is…”

Ecclesiastes 6:9

Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

World English Bible

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

American Standard Version

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Geneva Bible 1599

The sight of ye eye is better then to walke in ye lustes: this also is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

Darby Translation

Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

Young's Literal Translation

Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

Bible in Basic English

What the eyes see is better than the wandering of desire. This is to no purpose and a desire for wind.

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Cross references

“Better”

Ecclesiastes 5:18 Ecclesiastes 2:24 Ecclesiastes 3:12 Ecclesiastes 3:13

Ecclesiastes 5:18 · BSB

Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 · BSB

Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 · BSB

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live,

Ecclesiastes 3:13 · BSB

and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.

“wandering of the desire”

Job 31:7 Jeremiah 2:20 Proverbs 30:15 Proverbs 30:16

Job 31:7 · BSB

If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if impurity has stuck to my hands,

Jeremiah 2:20 · BSB

“For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.

Proverbs 30:15 · BSB

The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’:

Proverbs 30:16 · BSB

Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’

“this”

Ecclesiastes 1:14 Ecclesiastes 1:2 Ecclesiastes 2:11 Ecclesiastes 4:4 Ecclesiastes 6:2 Ecclesiastes 2:22

Ecclesiastes 1:14 · BSB

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 · BSB

“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”

Ecclesiastes 2:11 · BSB

Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 · BSB

I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:2 · BSB

God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.

Ecclesiastes 2:22 · BSB

For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun?

Also

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Ecclesiastes 11:9 · BSB

Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judg…

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

8What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What gain comes to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others?

10Whatever exists was named long ago, and it is known what man is; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.

Read Ecclesiastes 6