Ecclesiastes 4:2
“Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.”
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
Why This Verse Was Tagged
This verse was identified through meaning similarity — its content is mathematically close to known verses in this theme, even without sharing the same vocabulary.
Counter-Arguments
The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.
Cross-References
“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.”
“Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.”
“Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”
“Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”
“Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?”