I remember that there is some citation in Kohelet meaning "better peace and poor then rich and without peace", but cannot recall the exact source... Does someone remember?
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3 Answers
Perhaps you refer to Koheles 5:11:
מְתוּקָה שְׁנַת הָעֹבֵד, אִם-מְעַט וְאִם-הַרְבֵּה יֹאכֵל; וְהַשָּׂבָע, לֶעָשִׁיר--אֵינֶנּוּ מַנִּיחַ לוֹ, לִישׁוֹן.
Translated (Mechon-Mamre.org):
Sweet is the sleep of a labouring man, whether he eat little or much; but the satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
In fact, an evaluation of the condition of the rich and the poor is a recurring theme in Koheles.
I'm guessing you mean chapter 4 vs 6 better one handful peacefully than two handfuls of work and bad spirit.
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A more accurate translation (according to Rashi at least) and one which more directly meets the asker's need is "two handfuls with work" (rather than "two handfuls of work"). The handfuls referred to are not of work and bad spirit but of wealth that was earned through work and bad spirit.– msh210 ♦Jun 16, 2014 at 16:28
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I realized from the question he was reading the passuk without rashi's pshat. Thats why i didnt mention it.– user6591Jun 16, 2014 at 18:12
I suspect that the answer already given (Kohelet 4:6) is the correct one; it might also be worth noting some proverbs that express the same sentiment:
Mishlei 15:16-17:
15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord, than a great treasury and turmoil with it. 17 Better a repast of herbs where there is love, than a fattened ox where there is hatred.
Mishlei 17:1:
17:1 Better a piece of dry bread and tranquility with it, than a house full of sacrifices of strife.
