Ecclesiastes 4

The Preacher observes the tears of the oppressed with no one to comfort them, and the emptiness of toil driven by envy of a neighbor. He commends companionship over solitary striving — “two are better than one,” for they help each other, and “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” — and notes the fleeting nature of popularity, as even a poor but wise youth may replace an old and foolish king only to be forgotten in turn.