"For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?" — Ecclesiastes 6:8

Ecclesiastes 6:8 · KJV

“For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?”

— Ecclesiastes 6:8

All the labour of man {is} for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. {appetite: Heb. soul}

Better {is} the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this {is} also vanity and vexation of spirit. {than...: Heb. than the walking of the soul}

Ecclesiastes 6 — Context

Yea, though he live a thousand years twice {told}, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

All the labour of man {is} for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. {appetite: Heb. soul}

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

Better {is} the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this {is} also vanity and vexation of spirit. {than...: Heb. than the walking of the soul}

That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it {is} man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

Cross References

Proverbs 19:1

Better {is} the poor that walketh in his integrity, than {he that is} perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Ecclesiastes 2:14-16

The wise man's eyes {are} in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

Ecclesiastes 5:11

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good {is there} to the owners thereof, saving the beholding {of them} with their eyes?

Luke 1:6

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Psalms 116:9

I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

1 Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; {uncertain...: Gr. uncertainty of riches}

Genesis 17:1

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I {am} the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. {perfect: or, upright, or, sincere}

Psalms 101:2

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.