Ecclesiastes 7:14

In the day of prosperity be joyful Literally, In the day of good, be in good, i.e.use it as it should be used. True wisdom, the teacher urges, is found in a man's enjoying whatever good actually comes to him. The warning is against the temper which "taking thought for the morrow," is

"over exquisite

To cast the fashion of uncertain evils."

And on the other hand he adds In the day of evil, look well, i.e.consider why it comes, and what may be gained from it.

God also hath set the one over against the other The words assert what we should call the doctrine of averages in the distribution of outward good and evil. God has made one like (or parallel with) the other, balances this against that and this in order that man may find nothing at all after him. The last words may mean either (1) that man may have nothing more to learn or discover in his own hereafter; or (2) that man may fail to forecast what shall come to pass on earth after he has left it, as in ch. Ecclesiastes 6:12, and may look to the future calmly, free from the idle dreams of pessimism or optimism. The last meaning seems most in harmony with the dominant tone of the book, and has parallels in the teaching of moralists who have given counsel based on like data.

In the noble hymn of Cleanthes to Zeus (18) we have the Stoic view in language presenting a striking parallel to that of Ecclesiastes 7:13-14.

ἀλλὰ σὺ καὶ τὰ περισσὰ ἐπίστασαι ἄρτια θεῖναι,

καὶ κοσμεῖν τὰ ἄκοσμα, καὶ οὐ φίλα, σοὶ φίλα ἐστιν•

ὧδε γὰρ εἰς ἒν ἅπαντα συνήρμοσας ἐσθλὰ κακοῖσιν,

ὥσθʼ ἕνα γίγνεσθαι πάντων λόγον αἰὲν ἐόντα.

"Thou alone knowest how to change the odd

To even, and to make the crooked straight,

And things discordant find accord in Thee.

Thus in one whole Thou blendest ill with good,

So that one law works on for evermore."

The Epicurean poet writes:

"Prudens futuri temporis exitum

Caliginosa nocte premit Deus,

Ridetque, si mortalis ultra

Fas trepidat. Quod adest, memento

Componere aequus; cetera fluminis

Ritu feruntur, nunc medio alveo

Cum pace delabentis Etruscum

In mare, nunc lapides adesos,

Stirpesque raptas et pecus et domos

Volventis unâ."

"God in His wisdom hides from sight,

Veiled in impenetrable night,

The future chance and change,

And smiles when mortals" anxious fears,

Forecasting ills of coming years,

Beyond their limit range.

"Use then the present well, and deem

All else drifts onward, like a stream

Whose waters seaward flow,

Now gliding in its tranquil course,

Now rushing on with headlong force

O'er rocks that lie below."

Od. iii. 29. 29 38.