Ecclesiastes 4:6 - Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ecclesiastes 4:6" mean?
This verse from Ecclesiastes 4:6 is a proverb that contrasts modest contentment with restless striving. Let's break it down:
"Better is a handful, with quietness..." This refers to having just enough - a small amount, a modest income, a simple life. The key phrase here is "with quietness." This emphasizes the peace of mind, contentment, and lack of stress that comes with accepting a smaller portion in life. It's about being satisfied with what you have.
"...than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind." This describes a life where you are constantly working and striving for more. "Two handfuls" implies having more materially, but the phrase "labor and chasing after wind" suggests that this abundance comes with great effort, toil, and ultimately, emptiness. "Chasing after wind" is a common theme in Ecclesiastes, representing futility and meaninglessness. It's like trying to grasp something that is insubstantial and impossible to hold onto.
In essence, the verse is saying:
It's better to have a little and be at peace than to have a lot but be constantly working and striving for more, only to find that it doesn't bring true satisfaction.
Here's how we can understand it in practical terms:
Financial Perspective: It's better to have a simple job that provides enough income for your needs and allows you to have a peaceful and balanced life, than to have a high-paying job that demands all your time and energy, leaving you stressed and unfulfilled.
Material Possessions: It's better to own a few, well-chosen items that you appreciate and use, rather than accumulating a large collection of things that you don't need and that only create clutter and anxiety.
Ambition: It's better to have realistic goals and work towards them with a calm and steady approach, than to be driven by insatiable ambition that leads to constant striving and a sense of never being enough.
The verse encourages a focus on inner peace and contentment rather than the relentless pursuit of material wealth or worldly success. It's a reminder to prioritize quality of life over quantity of possessions. It values a life lived with peace and mindfulness, even if it means having less, over a life consumed by work and the pursuit of fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying gains.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 - Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
What does "Ecclesiastes 4:6" mean?
This verse from Ecclesiastes 4:6 is a proverb that contrasts modest contentment with restless striving. Let's break it down:
"Better is a handful, with quietness..." This refers to having just enough - a small amount, a modest income, a simple life. The key phrase here is "with quietness." This emphasizes the peace of mind, contentment, and lack of stress that comes with accepting a smaller portion in life. It's about being satisfied with what you have.
"...than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind." This describes a life where you are constantly working and striving for more. "Two handfuls" implies having more materially, but the phrase "labor and chasing after wind" suggests that this abundance comes with great effort, toil, and ultimately, emptiness. "Chasing after wind" is a common theme in Ecclesiastes, representing futility and meaninglessness. It's like trying to grasp something that is insubstantial and impossible to hold onto.
In essence, the verse is saying:
It's better to have a little and be at peace than to have a lot but be constantly working and striving for more, only to find that it doesn't bring true satisfaction.
Here's how we can understand it in practical terms:
Financial Perspective: It's better to have a simple job that provides enough income for your needs and allows you to have a peaceful and balanced life, than to have a high-paying job that demands all your time and energy, leaving you stressed and unfulfilled.
Material Possessions: It's better to own a few, well-chosen items that you appreciate and use, rather than accumulating a large collection of things that you don't need and that only create clutter and anxiety.
Ambition: It's better to have realistic goals and work towards them with a calm and steady approach, than to be driven by insatiable ambition that leads to constant striving and a sense of never being enough.
The verse encourages a focus on inner peace and contentment rather than the relentless pursuit of material wealth or worldly success. It's a reminder to prioritize quality of life over quantity of possessions. It values a life lived with peace and mindfulness, even if it means having less, over a life consumed by work and the pursuit of fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying gains.