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The wise man, having found that wisdom brought with it but increased sorrow, turns to the other side--to all those pleasures that the flesh, as we speak, enjoys. Still, he gives us, as in chap. i., the result of his search before he describes it: "I said in my heart, 'Go to no...
But whilst the King has not that most blessed light, yet there are some things in which he can discriminate; and here are seven comparisons in which his unaided wisdom can disce...
11. Chapter 11Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart...
4. Chapter 4With the opening of this chapter we come to quite a different theme. Like a fever-tossed patient, Ecclesiastes has turned from side to side for relief and rest; but each new cha...
8. Chapter 8The last two verses of Chapter VIII. connect with the opening words of this chapter. The more Ecclesiastes applies every faculty he has to solve the riddle under the sun, robbin...
7. Chapter 7Still continues the praise of "wisdom." For if, as the last verses of the previous chapters have shown, there be but very few that walk in her paths, she necessarily lifts those...
9. Chapter 9The climax of Ecclesiastes' exercises seems to have been reached in the previous chapter. The passionate storm is over, and now his thoughts ripple quietly along in proverb and...
3. Chapter 3But we must follow our Preacher, who can only turn away with bitterness from this closed door of Death, once more to take note of what is "under the sun." And sad and sorrowful...
10. Chapter 10We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; t...
5. Chapter 5Remembering how far the writer of our book excels all who have ever come after him, in ability, wisdom, or riches, his groans of disappointment shall have their true weight with...
1. Chapter 1The wise man, having found that wisdom brought with it but increased sorrow, turns to the other side--to all those pleasures that the flesh, as we speak, enjoys. Still, he gives...
2. Chapter 2life itself emphasizes the truth that nothing is at one stay here;--all _moves_. There is naught abiding, like the winds and waters that he has noted in chapter one; man's life...