I said — Being disappointed of my hopes from knowledge, I resolved to try another course. Go to — O my soul! I will try whether I cannot make thee happy, by the enjoyment of sensual delights. Vanity — Is vain, and unable to make men happy.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is mad — This is an act of madness, more fit for fools who know nothing, than for wise men in this sinful, and dangerous, and deplorable state of mankind. What doth it — What good doth it? Or how can it make men happy? I challenge all the Epicures in the world to give me a solid answer.... [ Continue Reading ]
To wine — To gratify myself with delicious meats and drinks. Yet — Yet resolving to use my wisdom, that I might try whether I could not arrive at satisfaction, by mixing wine and wisdom together. To lay hold — To pursue sensual pleasures, which was my folly. 'Till — 'Till I might find out the true w... [ Continue Reading ]
The wood — The nurseries of young trees, which for the multitude of them were like a wood or forest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Peculiar treasure — The greatest jewels and rarities of other kings, which they gave to me, either as a tribute, or by way of present. Of provinces — Which were imposed upon or presented by all the provinces of my dominions.... [ Continue Reading ]
Great — In riches, and power, and glory. My wisdom remained — As yet I was not wholly seduced from God.... [ Continue Reading ]
And — Whatsoever was grateful to my senses. Rejoiced — I had the comfort of all my labours, and was not hindered from the full enjoyment of them by sickness or war, or any other calamity. My portion — This present enjoyment of them, was all the benefit which I could expect from all my labours. So th... [ Continue Reading ]
Vexation — I found myself wholly dissatisfied. No profit — The pleasure was past, and I was never the better for it, but as empty as before.... [ Continue Reading ]
I turned — Being frustrated of my hopes in pleasure, I returned to a second consideration of my first choice, to see whether there was not more satisfaction to be gotten from wisdom, than I discovered at my first view. Done — As by others, so especially by myself. They can make no new discoveries as... [ Continue Reading ]
I saw — I allowed thus much. Although wisdom is not sufficient to make men happy, yet it is of a far greater use than vain pleasures, or any other follies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Head — In their proper place. He hath the use of his eyes and reason, and foresees, and so avoids many dangers and mischiefs. Yet — Notwithstanding this excellency of wisdom above folly, at last they both come to one end. Both are subject to the same calamities, and to death itself, which takes away... [ Continue Reading ]
Why — What benefit have I by my wisdom?... [ Continue Reading ]
For — Their memory, though it may flourish for a season, yet will in a little time be worn out; as we see it, most of the wise men of former ages, whose very names, together with all their monuments, are utterly lost. As the fool — He must die as certainly as the fool.... [ Continue Reading ]
Life — My life was a burden to me. Is grievous — All human designs and works are so far from yielding me satisfaction, that the consideration of them increases my discontent.... [ Continue Reading ]
All my labour — All these riches and buildings, and other fruits of my labour, were aggravations of my misery. Because — Because I must, and that everlastingly, leave them all behind me.... [ Continue Reading ]
Or a fool — Who will undo all that I have done, and turn the effects of my wisdom into instruments of his folly. Some think he had such an opinion of Rehoboam.... [ Continue Reading ]
Despair — I gave myself up to despair of ever reaping that satisfaction which I promised to myself.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom — Who uses great industry, and prudence, and justice too, in the use and management of his affairs. To a man — Who has spent his days in sloth and folly. A great evil — A great disorder in itself, and a great torment to a considering mind.... [ Continue Reading ]
For what — What comfort or benefit remains to any man after this short and frail life is once ended?... [ Continue Reading ]
Sorrows — Full of sorrows. Tho' he took great and unwearied pains all his days, yet the toils of his body were accompanied with vexation of mind. His heart — Because his sleep was broken with perplexing cares.... [ Continue Reading ]
Enjoy — That he should thankfully take, and freely and chearfully enjoy the comforts which God gives him. It was — A singular gift of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
More than I — Therefore he could best tell whether they were able of themselves, without God's special gift, to yield a man content, in the enjoying of them. Who can pursue them with more diligence, obtain them with more readiness, or embrace them with more greediness?... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom — To direct him how to use his comforts aright; that so they may be blessings, and not curses to him. Joy — A thankful contented mind. To heap up — He giveth him up to insatiable desires, and wearisome labours, that he may leave it to others, yea to such as he least desired, to good and virtu... [ Continue Reading ]