Ecclesiastes 4

1 Verti me ad alia, et vidi calumnias, quae sub sole geruntur, et lacrymas innocentium, et neminem consolatorem: nec posse resistere eorum violentiae, cunctorum auxilio destitutos.

So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

2 Et laudavi magis mortuos, quam viventes:

and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

3 et feliciorem utroque iudicavi, qui necdum natus est, nec vidit mala quae sub sole fiunt.

Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 Rursum contemplatus sum omnes labores hominum, et industrias animadverti patere invidiae proximi: et in hoc ergo vanitas, et cura superflua est.

And I saw all labor, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbor. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

5 Stultus complicat manus suas, et comedit carnes suas, dicens:

The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

6 Melior est pugillus cum requie, quam plena utraque manus cum labore, et afflictione animi.

Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

7 Considerans reperi et aliam vanitatem sub sole:

So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

8 unus est, et secundum non habet, non filium, non fratrem, et tamen laborare non cessat, nec satiantur oculi eius divitiis: nec recogitat, dicens: Cui laboro, et fraudo animam meam bonis? in hoc quoque vanitas est, et afflictio pessima.

There is one [alone], and there is not a second; yes, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.

9 Melius est ergo duos esse simul, quam unum: habent enim emolumentum societatis suae:

Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labor.

10 si unus ceciderit, ab altero fulcietur. vae soli: quia cum ceciderit, non habet sublevantem se.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.

11 Et si dormierint duo, fovebuntur mutuo: unus quomodo calefiet?

Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]

12 Et si quispiam praevaluerit contra unum, duo resistunt ei: funiculus triplex difficile rumpitur.

And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.

13 Melior est puer pauper et sapiens, rege sene et stulto, qui nescit praevidere in posterum.

Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

14 Quod de carcere, catenisque interdum quis egrediatur ad regnum: et alius natus in regno, inopia consumatur.

For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because [he] also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

15 Vidi cunctos viventes, qui ambulant sub sole cum adolescente secundo, qui consurget pro eo.

I saw all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

16 Infinitus numerus est populi omnium, qui fuerunt ante eum: et qui postea futuri sunt, non laetabuntur in eo. sed et hoc, vanitas et afflictio spiritus.

There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.