HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ECCLESIASTES 6

CHAPTER VI.

Ver. 2. Thereof. "Di tibi divitias dederunt artemque fruendi." Hor. i. Ep. 4. --- The proper use of riches is rare. C. --- Misery. Riches do not make people happy. W.

Ver. 3. Than he, since the latter has injured no one, nor experienced any evil in the world, (C.) by his own fault; (M.) whereas the miser has both hurt himself and others, and has neglected to make himself friends of the mammon of iniquity.

Ver. 4. He. The infant, though some explain it of the miser. C.

Ver. 7. Mouth. We are always providing food. S. Jer. --- The rich are wholly bent on pleasure; or the poor cannot get a sufficiency.

Ver. 8. Life. The wise poor shall be blessed. Heb. "the poor knowing how to walk before the living," (H.) in society (C.) among the saints. H.

Ver. 9. Know. Enjoyment has the advantage over hope. Heb. "better is the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul," which denotes her desires. C. --- Presumption. Heb. "vexation." H.

Ver. 10. He, &c. This is plainly spoken of Christ, whose name was given before he was born; (S. Jer. W.) or men resemble each other in all ages, (C. i. 9. C.) being proud, fragile, &c.

Ver. 11. Disputing. Are we better acquainted with nature than former ages? This is another subject of confusion. C.