Ecclesiastes 6:8

6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

7 All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.

What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What gain comes to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others?

9 Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

10 Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What gain comes to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others?
KJV
For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
WEB
For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?
ASV
For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? [or] what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?
DARBY
For what advantage hath the wise above the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
BLB
Indeed, what advantage [is] for the wise one over the fool? What [is] to the poor one knowing how to walk before the living?
ÅB
for hvilket fortrinn har den vise fremfor dåren? Hvilket fortrinn har den fattige som vet å skikke seg blant de levende?
OTB
Hvilken fordel har den vise over dåren? Hvilken nytte har den fattige av å vite hvordan de skal oppføre seg blant de levende?
B1930
for hvad fortrin har den vise fremfor dåren? Hvad fortrin har den fattige som vet å skikke sig blandt de levende?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Proverbs 19:1

    Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 2:14–16

    The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 116:9

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

    Read in context
  • Psalms 101:2

    I will ponder the way that is blameless— when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart.

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 5:11

    When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

    Read in context
  • Luke 1:6

    Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 17:1

    When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.

    Read in context