Ecclesiastes
Verse 2. Thereof. “Di tibi divitias dederunt artemque fruendi.” Hor. i. Ep. 4.—The proper use of riches is rare. Calmet.—Misery. Riches do not make people happy. Worthington.
EXPLANATIONS
Ecclesiastes 6
Historical chapter commentary
Ecclesiastes
Verse 3. Than he, since the latter has injured no one, nor experienced any evil in the world, ( Calmet.) by his own fault; ( Menochius.) whereas the miser has both hurt himself and others, and has neglected to make himself friends of the mammon of iniquity.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 4. He. The infant, though some explain it of the miser. Calmet.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 7. Mouth. We are always providing food. Saint Jerome—The rich are wholly bent on pleasure; or the poor cannot get a sufficiency.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 8. Life. The wise poor shall be blessed. Hebrew “the poor knowing how to walk before the living,” ( Bible.) in society ( Calmet.) among the saints. Bible.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 9. Know. Enjoyment has the advantage over hope. Hebrew “better is the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul,” which denotes her desires. Calmet.—Presumption. Hebrew “vexation.” Bible.
Ecclesiastes
Verse 10. He, and so forth This is plainly spoken of Christ, whose name was given before he was born; (Saint Jerome Worthington.) or men resemble each other in all ages, (Calmet. 1:9. Calmet.) being proud, fragile, and so forth
Ecclesiastes
Verse 11. Disputing. Are we better acquainted with nature than former ages? This is another subject of confusion. Calmet.