There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men:
Ecclesiastes 6
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a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
ExplanationCommentary
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.
If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he;
ExplanationCommentary
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.
for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 4. He. The infant, though some explain it of the miser. Calmet.
Moreover it has not seen the sun nor known it. This has rest rather than the other.
Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet fails to enjoy good, don’t all go to one place?
All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 7. Mouth. We are always providing food. Saint Jerome—The rich are wholly bent on pleasure; or the poor cannot get a sufficiency.
For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?
ExplanationCommentary
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.
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
ExplanationCommentary
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.
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
ExplanationCommentary
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
For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 11. Disputing. Are we better acquainted with nature than former ages? This is another subject of confusion. Calmet.
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?