Eclesiastes 2
John Chrysostom · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Eclesiastes 2:4
"Vanity of vanities, all things are vanity." Hear also what the prophet says, "He heaps up riches and knows not who shall gather them." Such is "vanity of vanities," your splendid buildings, your vast and overflowing riches, the herds of slaves that bustle along the public square, your pomp and vainglory, your high thoughts and your ostentation. For all these are vain; they came not from the hand of God but are of our own creating. But why then are they vain? Because they have no useful end. Riches are vain when they are spent upon luxury; but they cease to be vain when they are "dispersed and given to the needy." — HOMILIES ON EPHESIANS 12
Eclesiastes 2:4
Hear what Solomon says, who knew the present world by actual experience. "I built houses, I planted vineyards, I made gardens, and orchards and pools of water. I gathered also silver and gold. I got myself men singers and women singers, and flocks and herds." There was no one who lived in greater luxury or higher glory. There was no one so wise or so powerful, no one who saw all things so succeeding to his heart's desire. What then? He had no enjoyment from all these things. What after all does he say of it himself? "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." Vanity not simply but superlatively. Let us believe him, and lay hold on that in which there is no vanity, in which there is truth; and what is based upon a solid rock, where there is no old age or decline but all things bloom and flourish, without decay, or waxing old, or approaching dissolution. Let us, I beseech you, love God with genuine affection, not from fear of hell but from desire of the kingdom. For what is comparable to seeing Christ? Surely nothing! What to the enjoyment of those good things? Surely nothing! Well may there be nothing [comparable]; for "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love him." — HOMILIES ON 1 TIMOTHY 15
Eclesiastes 2:4
Serve God with tears, that you may be able to wash away your sins. I know that many mock us, saying, "Shed tears." Therefore it is a time for tears. I know also that they are disgusted, who say, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." It is not I that say it, but he who had had the experience of all things says thus: "I built for me houses, I planted vineyards, I made me pools of water, [I had] men servants and women servants." And what then after all these things? "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."Let us mourn therefore, beloved, let us mourn in order that we may laugh indeed, that we may rejoice indeed in the time of unmixed joy. For with this joy [here] grief is altogether mingled, and never is it possible to find it pure. But that is simple and undeceiving joy: it has nothing treacherous, nor any admixture. — ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 15:9
Eclesiastes 2:13
And what is the use of understanding, you will say, to the poor person? As might be expected you are ignorant; for neither does the blind person know what is the advantage of light. Listen to Solomon, saying, "As far as light excels darkness, so does wisdom excel folly."But how shall we instruct him that is in darkness? For the love of money is darkness, permitting nothing that is to appear as it is, but otherwise. For much as one in darkness, though he should see a golden vessel, though a precious stone, though purple garments, supposes them to be nothing, for he does not see their beauty. So also he that is covetous, knows not as he ought the beauty of those things that are worthy of our care. Disperse then I pray you the mist that arises from this passion, and then will you see the nature of things. But nowhere do these things so plainly appear as in poverty, nowhere are those things so disproved which seem to be, and are not, as in self-denial. — HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 83:3
Eclesiastes 2:13
And what is the use of understanding, thou wilt say, to the poor man? As might be expected thou art ignorant; for neither doth the blind man know what is the advantage of light. Listen to Solomon, saying, "As far as light excelleth darkness, so doth wisdom excel folly." But how shall we instruct him that is in darkness? For the love of money is darkness, permitting nothing that is to appear as it is, but otherwise. For much as one in darkness, though he should see a golden vessel, though a precious stone, though purple garments, supposes them to be nothing, for he sees not their beauty; so also he that is in covetousness, knows not as he ought the beauty of those things that are worthy of our care. Disperse then I pray thee the mist that arises from this passion, and then wilt thou see the nature of things. — Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 83