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OEB ECC Chapter 6

6 One of the vexatious things that I have seen under 2 the sun to press heavily upon men is this. Take the case of a man to whom God has given wealth, riches, honour, everything heart can desire except the opportunity to enjoy it– that opportunity falling to some stranger. Here is a grieveous and painful illusion.

3 If a man be the father of a hundred sons, and live for many long years, but without having enjoyed any true satisfaction from his prosperity and without the honour of burial (in the end), then such a man, I maintain, is not so fortunate as an untimely 4 birth, which, coming as a futility, departs in dark- 5 ness with its name enveloped in darkness, never having has sight or knowledge of the sunlight. It is this, rather than the other, that enjoys rest. 6 Though the man should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no experience of happiness, are not both on their way to same place?

7 The toil of man is all for his mouth,

Yet the appetite is unfilled.

8 What gain hath the wise man more than the fool,

Or the poor man who walks through the world with discretion?

9 Better a glimpse with the eyes

Than the roaming of the appetite.

Here is another illusion and a chasing of the wind.

The Futility of the Struggle with Destiny

10 The character of what is has already been deter- mined, and the destiny of man is already fore- ordained: he cannot contend with one mightier 11 than himself. For multiplied words mean but multiplied vanities; and what is man the better? 12 Who can tell what is good for man during his life- time all the days of the brief and empty life that he passes like a shadow? Who can declare to a man what is to happen after him under the sun?

Counsels for Conduct

◄ ECC 6 ► ║ ©

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