CHAPTER 2
INTRODUCTION
that has been? The same thing that will be. What is it that has been done? The same that will be done. 10 Nothing under the sun is new. Neither is any person able to say:
Behold, this is new. For it has already gone before in the ages that were before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things. Nor indeed of those things which hereafter are to come, will there be any remembrance with those who will be in the latter end.
12 I, Ecclesiastes, was king in Jerusalem. 13 And I proposed in my mind to seek and search out wisely concerning all things that are done under the sun.
This worst occupation God has given to men and women to be exercised therein. 14 I have seen all things that are done under the sun. And behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 The perverse are corrected with difficulty, and the number of fools is infinite.
16 I have spoken in my heart, saying: Behold, I have become great, and in wisdom I have gone beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem. And my mind contemplated many things wisely, and I have learned. 17 And I have given my heart to know prudence and learning and errors and folly. And I have perceived that in these also there was labor and vexation of spirit. 18 Because in much wisdom there is much indignation. The person who adds knowledge also adds sorrow.
CHAPTER 2
1 I said in my heart: I will go and abound with delights and enjoy good things. And I saw that this, too, is vanity.
2 Laughter I counted error. And to joy I said: Why are you vainly deceived? 3 I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, so that I might turn to wisdom and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for men and women, what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their lives.
ST. BONAVENTURE'S COMMENTARY ON ECCLESIASTES
4 I have made great works for myself. I built houses for myself. I planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and orchards and set them with trees of all kinds. 6 I made for myself ponds of water to water therewith the wood of the young trees. 7 I acquired menservants and maidservants and had a large family and herds of oxen, and great flocks of sheep beyond all that were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I heaped together for myself gold and silver and the wealth of kings and provinces. I made for myself male and female singers and the delights of men and women, cups and vessels to serve and pour out the wine.
9 And I surpassed in riches all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me. 10 And all my eyes desired, I refused them not. I withheld not my heart from delighting itself in the things that I had prepared. I esteemed this my portion, to make use of my own labor. 11 And when I turned myself to all the works that my hand had wrought and to the labors wherein I had labored in vain, I saw in all things vanity and vexation of spirit and that nothing was lasting under the sun. 12 I passed further to behold wisdom and error and folly.
What are human beings, said I, that they can follow the King, their maker? 13 And I saw that wisdom excelled folly, as much as light differs from darkness. 14 The eyes of the wise are in their heads. Fools walk in darkness. And I learned that both alike were to die. 15 And I said in my heart: If the death of the fool and mine shall be one, what does it avail me that I have applied myself more to the study of wisdom? And I have spoken with my own mind and have perceived that this also is vanity. 16 For there shall be no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, and the times to come shall cover all things together with oblivion. The learned die in like manner as the unlearned. 17 Therefore, I was weary of my life, when I saw that all things under the sun are evil, and all vanity and vexation of spirit.