Bible verse
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 · BSB
The verses around it, from Ecclesiastes 4.
2 So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.
3 But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
4 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.
5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.
6 Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.
7 Again, I saw futility under the sun.
8 There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.
10 For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!
KJV
Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit.
ASV
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
ERV
Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind.
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Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.