unfoldingWord_en_tn/ecc/06/09.md

# what the eyes see

A person can see these things because he already has them. Alternate translation: "what a person has" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# to desire what a wandering appetite craves

This refers to things that a person wants but does not have. Alternate translation: "to want what he does not have" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# vapor ... an attempt to shepherd the wind

These two phrases are both metaphors that emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

# vapor

"mist." The author speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were vapor. See how you translated this in [Ecclesiastes 1:14](../01/14.md). Alternate translation: "as useless as vapor" or "meaningless" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# an attempt to shepherd the wind

The author speaks of everything that people do as being useless as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in [Ecclesiastes 1:14](../01/14.md). Alternate translation: "are as useless as trying to control the wind" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])