Ecclesiastes
Verse 1. Any. God suffereth the innocent to be oppressed for a time, that they may merit a greater reward. Psalms 72.
EXPLANATIONS
Ecclesiastes 4
Historical chapter commentary
Ecclesiastes
Verse 3. Born. It is better to have no existence than to be in eternal misery. Matthew 26:24. But the affliction of the just procureth glory for them. Worthington.—The pagan sages observed, that it was “best for mortals not to be born; and if they were, to die very soon.” Chalcid. and Theognis.—But they considered only temporal inconveniences. Religion has in view the danger of sin, and the desire of eternal happiness. Romans 7:24.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 4. Industries, or Hebrew “righteous actions.” If one be poor, he is in distress; if rich, he is exposed to envy; so that all is vanity. Calmet.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 5. Flesh, which he will not labour to sustain; ( Bible.) or he repines at his own past misconduct, and at the affluence of others.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 6. Mind. These are the words of the slothful, ( Calmet.) or of truth. Bible. Proverbs 17:1.—The indolent will not observe moderation in the application of this sentence. Menochius.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 8. Things? He acts as if he were to live for ever, or feared to be starved.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 9. Therefore is not in Hebrew and so forth The miser had better have some society. It is advantageous; though to refrain from its comforts, out of piety, is not blamed. The solitary must be “an angel or a devil.” Calmet.—Society. Besides the advantages of friendship, this implies that a person must have Jesus Christ with him, that he may rise from sin and death by his assistance. Saint Jerome Worthington.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 10. Fall into sickness, poverty, or sin. The saints have withdrawn people from the dangers of the world into monasteries, where they may fight together against the devil.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 12. Cord. True charity increaseth in strength as it does in number, (Saint Jerome Worthington.) though friendship may not admit of more than two persons. Bible.—Some explain this triple cord of the blessed Trinity, or of the three monastic vows, the theological virtues, or the parts of penance, and so forth
Ecclesiastes
Verse 13. Foolish. Great wisdom and prudence is required of kings; who, like others, are exposed to many vicissitudes.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 14. Prison. The exaltation of Joseph, Mardochai, and Daniel, was remarkable. Calmet.—Si fortuna volet, fies de Rhetore Consul. Juv. Sat. vii.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 15. Second heir. Menochius.—“They adore the rising (Papinius) more than the setting sun; (Plut. Pomp.) and a person is no sooner on the throne than his successor begins to be courted: (verse 16) so inconstant are mortals! Calmet.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 16. In him. Many are perfectly unacquainted with the king, who finds so many admirers about his person, and even of these the greatest part begin to be presently disgusted, and wish for another change.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 17. Keep. Here many begin the fifth chap. as Solomon alters his style, and gives many important instructions. Calmet.—For. Hebrew “rather than that fools should offer sacrifice, since they know not that they are doing wrong.” Mont.—Do not imitate hypocrites, ( Bible.) who have the appearance of sanctity, while they despise God’s orders. Jeremiah 7:2. Calmet.