ECCLESIASTES (SOLOMON)

Solomon

A king of Jerusalem who achieved enormous wealth, success, comfort, and pleasure, yet concluded all of it was meaningless (“vanity”). He serves as a philosophical critic of achievement, excess, overwork, and political society.

Vanity

Solomon’s term for emptiness or pointlessness; human accomplishments miss the mark and do not give true fulfillment.

Vexation of Spirit

Deep psychological disturbance or anxiety produced by excessive labor, indulgence, or responsibility.

Why Solomon thinks life is vanity

• Hard labor benefits strangers after death.

• Wealth and accomplishments exceed what he needs.

• Pleasure-seeking brings more stress, not relief.

• There is “no profit under the sun” in chasing excess.

Solomon’s good life

A simple life where one:

• Eats, drinks, and enjoys work in proportion to needs.

• Enjoys the company of genuine relationships.

• Avoids excess, worry, overwork, wealth accumulation, and indulgence.
  This simplicity is “the gift of God.”

Solomon on Justice

• Injustice is everywhere; the oppressed cry.

• The dead are better off; those never born are best off.

• Justice is determined by luck, not merit.

• “Time and chance happeneth to them all.”

• Nothing can be done to fix the world’s injustices.

• Humans should accept injustice rather than try to change it