² So I declare that the dead, who have already died, are more fortunate than the living, who are still alive. ³ But happier than both are those who have never existed, who haven’t witnessed the terrible things that happen under the sun.

Envy and loneliness

⁴ I also observed that people work hard and become good at what they do only out of mutual envy. This too is pointless, just wind chasing.