Ecclesiastes 4

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IV.—Into what an hell hath sin turned our earth! Men are often proud of transforming themselves into devils, for tormenting their brethren. Often, through want of help and comfort, a man’s life is made worse than death or non-existence. And desperately wicked are men when even right and useful works do but rouse their envy. But great is the mercy that God, with whom every right work is accepted, will be our final judge. Let me then be diligent in business, and work the work of God while it is called to-day. Sloth of any kind tends to make men poor and miserable. But unhappy are they who are selfish and covetous; and who, without any temptation, deny themselves the comforts of life, and make themselves slaves to business. It is absurd to covet all to themselves, when friendship and social connections are much more calculated to their help, comfort, and improvement. Kings are often but a plague to themselves and their restless people; and tottering honours are rather burdens than advantages