3 But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
3 But luckier than the dead or the living is the person who has never even been, who has never seen the bad business that takes place on this earth.
3 Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
3 But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:3
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
(Read Ecclesiastes 4:1-3)
It grieved Solomon to see might prevail against right. Wherever we turn, we see melancholy proofs of the wickedness and misery of mankind, who try to create trouble to themselves and to each other. Being thus hardly used, men are tempted to hate and despise life. But a good man, though badly off while in this world, cannot have cause to wish he had never been born, since he is glorifying the Lord, even in the fires, and will be happy at last, for ever happy. Ungodly men have most cause to wish the continuance of life with all its vexations, as a far more miserable condition awaits them if they die in their sins. If human and worldly things were our chief good, not to exist would be preferable to life, considering the various oppressions here below.