The Evil of Oppression 1So I turned me, and considered all the violent wrong that is done vnder the sunne: and beholde the teares of such as were oppressed, and there was no man to comfort them, or that woulde deliuer and defende them from the violence of their oppressours. 2Wherfore I iudged those that are dead, to be more happy then those that be alyue? 3Yea him that is yet vnborne, to be better at ease then they both: because he seeth not the miserable workes that are done vnder the sunne.
4Agayne, I sawe that all trauayle and diligence of labour that euery man taketh in hande, was done of enuie agaynst his neighbour: This is also a vayne thyng, and a vexation of mynde.
5The foole foldeth his handes together, and eateth vp his owne fleshe.
6One handfull
7Moreouer I turned me, and beholde yet another vanitie vnder the sunne.
8There is one man, no mo but himselfe alone, hauing neither childe nor brother, yet is there no ende of his carefull trauayle, his eyes can not be satisfied with riches:
9Therfore two are better then one, for they may well enioy the profite of their labour: For yf one of them fall, his companion helpeth him vp agayne.
10But wo is him that is alone: for yf he fal, he hath not another to helpe him vp.
11Agayne, when two sleepe together they are warme: but howe can a body be warme alone?
12One may be ouercome, but two may make resistaunce: A three folde gable is not lightly broken. The Futility of Power 13A poore chylde beyng wise, is better then an olde kyng that doteth, and can not beware in tyme to come.
14Some one commeth out of prison, and is made a kyng: and another which is borne in the kyngdome, commeth vnto pouertie.
15And I perceaued that all men lyuyng vnder the sunne, go with the seconde childe that shall stande vp in the steade of the other.
16As for the people that haue ben before him, and that come after him, they are innumerable, and they that come after him shall not reioyce in him: This is also a vayne thyng, and vexation of mynde. |
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