I Said in My Heart

Ecclesiastes 2 is the most extended autobiographical passage in the book: pleasure tried (laughter, wine, fools, women singers, musical instruments), great works tried (houses, vineyards, gardens, orchards, pools of water), and wealth tried (silver and gold, the peculiar treasure of kings). In each case the verdict is the same: hevel and vexation of spirit, no profit under the sun.

The chapter then turns to the comparison of wisdom and folly. The wise man has eyes in his head; the fool walks in darkness. But one event happens to them both. The wise man dies as the fool dies. There is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool, seeing that which now is shall in the days to come be forgotten. This also is hevel. Qoheleth hates all his labour because he must leave it to someone who comes after him, someone he does not know, who may be a fool.

Out of the despair comes the first carpe diem passage: there is nothing better for a person than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also is from the hand of God. For apart from him, who can eat or who can have enjoyment? To the one who pleases God, wisdom and knowledge and joy; to the sinner, the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is hevel and vexation of spirit.