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In the morning sow your seed,
    and at evening do not let your hand be idle:
For you do not know which of the two will be successful,
    or whether both alike will turn out well.

Poem on Youth and Old Age. [a]Light is sweet! and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. However many years mortals may live, let them, as they enjoy them all, remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that is to come is vanity.

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Footnotes

  1. 11:7–10 The concluding part of the book opens with a final bittersweet homage to life and an enthusiastic encouragement to rejoice in its gifts while they are within grasp.

Sow your seed in the morning,
    and at evening let your hands not be idle,(A)
for you do not know which will succeed,
    whether this or that,
    or whether both will do equally well.

Remember Your Creator While Young

Light is sweet,
    and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.(B)
However many years anyone may live,
    let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember(C) the days of darkness,
    for there will be many.
    Everything to come is meaningless.

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