Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better is a handful with quietness,.... These are the words of the fool, according to Aben Ezra; and which is the sense of other interpreters, particularly Mr. Broughton, who connects this verse with…

Either the fool’s sarcasm on his successful but restless neighbor; or the comment of Solomon recommending contentment with a moderate competence. The former meaning seems preferable.

Here Solomon returns to the observation and consideration of the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend the business of this world, which he had spoken of before, Ecc 2:11.

I. If a man be acute,…

Better is a handful with quietness The preposition is in both clauses an interpolation, and we should read "a handful of repose, … two handfuls of travail and feeding on wind." In form the saying…