Ecclesiastes 6 - Introduction
_THE VANITY OF RICHES WITHOUT USE; OF CHILDREN, AND OF OLD AGE WITHOUT RICHES. THE VANITY OF SIGHT, AND WANDERING DESIRES. THE CONCLUSION OF VANITIES._... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE VANITY OF RICHES WITHOUT USE; OF CHILDREN, AND OF OLD AGE WITHOUT RICHES. THE VANITY OF SIGHT, AND WANDERING DESIRES. THE CONCLUSION OF VANITIES._... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN TO WHOM GOD HATH GIVEN, &C.— From the 18th verse of the foregoing chapter to the present, we have the 2nd proof of the 2nd proposition, which is taken from the insufficiency of riches to give a man any real satisfaction, even though the actual possession of them should never be taken from him.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN BEGET— _Though a man should beget an hundred children, and live many years; nay, though he should be a senator, on account of the days of his years; if should not enjoy his prosperity, nor even get a burying-place for himself, I concluded an abortive is better than he._ Solomon's meaning, p... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE COMETH IN WITH VANITY, &C.— _For it is in vain he came, and he shall depart in darkness._... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR KNOWN ANY THING: THIS HATH, &C.— _Nor known the difference of one thing from another:_ Ecclesiastes 6:6. _Nay, though he had lived twice a thousand years, without enjoying happiness, do not both go to one place?_ Desvoeux. Houbigant renders the clause in the 16th verse, _Yet hath he seen no good... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT HATH THE POOR, &C.— _What remaineth also to the very beggar, who knoweth how to walk before the living?_ The desire of the wise man who labours, is undoubtedly to make himself more comfortable than he could expect to be, by giving himself no manner of trouble: yet, when all is duly considered,... [ Continue Reading ]
BETTER IS THE SIGHT OF THE EYES— The third and last proof, contained in this and the two preceding verses, is taken from the insatiableness of mens' wishes, whereby they are made miserable even when they get the utmost of what they can reasonably wish for. It is a vain and foolish thing to give a lo... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEING THERE BE MANY THINGS THAT INCREASE VANITY— _For there are many arguments to shew the multitude of vanities which prevail on the earth._ Desvoeux: who concludes the verse here, and begins the 12th thus, _Now what remaineth to man? for who,_ &c. Solomon, in the 10th and 11th verses, thought pro... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH HE SPENDETH AS A SHADOW— _Though he spendeth them under a shadow, in which who will shew a man what shall be after him?_ Desvoeux: who has shewn, that the phrase, _to spend his days under a shadow,_ signifies, to spend them in ease and tranquillity. See p. 324. The 3rd general proposition is c... [ Continue Reading ]