Ecclesiastes 6:9

Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

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

In context

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

8 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.

11 For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?

BSB Berean Standard Bible: Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
KJV King James Version: Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
WEB World English Bible: Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
ASV American Standard Version: Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
YLT Young's Literal Translation: Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.
DBY Darby Translation: Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
WBS Webster Bible: Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.