Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit.
Ver. 6. Better is an handful with quietness.] This is the sluggard's plea, whereby he bolstereth himself up in his wickedness, and would make you believe that he did, non sine ratione insanire, not play the madman without good reason. To what end, saith he, should a man toil and tire out himself with hard labour to compass commodity - making a drudge and a beast of himself for a little pelf, since he knows not who shall have the spending of it, and he is sure to be either squeezed by his superiors, as Ecc 4:1 or else envied by his neighbours? as Ecc 4:4 Is not a little with ease better? a penny by begging better than twopence by true labour? It is well observed by an interpreter, that this sentence uttered by the sluggard, is, in its true meaning, not much different from that of the wise man in Proverbs 17:1, but ill applied by him. Good words are not always to be trusted, from ill men especially.