Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Ecclesiastes 4:4 together. It’s a really interesting verse packed with meaning! Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is talking about how we feel when we think about our own accomplishments and how it makes us feel bad . It’s suggesting that focusing too much on things we can't truly control – like our work, success, or even our reputation – can lead to unhappiness. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor.” - This is the core of the verse. “Ecclesiastes 4:4” – This is a passage from the book of Ecclesiastes, which is often read as a philosophical reflection on life and meaning. “I considered all travail” – “Trauma” means hardship or difficult work. The verse says the speaker was thinking about all the things that are hard to do – every job, challenge, responsibility – that people might envy him. “and every right work” - “Right work” refers to tasks we do with purpose and dedication, like working diligently or contributing to something important. “that for this a man is envied of his neighbor.” – This is the key part. The speaker is thinking about how people might think he's better than them because he’s doing these hard things. “This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.” - This adds to the feeling of unhappiness. “This” – It's not just about thinking; it’s about feeling this way. “is also” – It's a consequence, an outcome of that thought. “vanity” - This means excessive pride or self-importance. The speaker is feeling like his accomplishments are more important than they really are. “vexation of spirit” – This means being troubled and unhappy because of this feeling. He’s not content, he's bothered by it. So, what does it all mean? The verse suggests that: Focusing too much on things you can’t control (like your job or reputation) can be a source of unhappiness. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to be recognized for what you do. Our own self-importance can lead to feelings of envy and dissatisfaction. The message is that true happiness comes from living a life of purpose, humility, and contentment with what we have , rather than constantly striving for external validation or recognition. It's about finding peace and satisfaction in the everyday. In short: It’s a reminder to be mindful of our thoughts and not let them consume us with envy or dissatisfaction. --- Would you like me to: Explain another part of this verse? Give you some practical ways to manage these feelings?