Ecclesiastes 6:8 Commentary and Bible Study

Solomon gives us two examples of those who try to better their lot in this world. The first has wisdom and certainly it makes a great difference to his earthly status, but in the light of eternity it gains him little or nothing. Then think of a poor man who lacks much, but nevertheless learns to conduct himself with discretion, and so earns himself a degree of respect and security within the limits of his capabilities. He learns to conceal his ambition and control his sense of inequality, so that he makes the best of his position; this is a shrewd insight into the way that many conduct themselves. But neither does he have any lasting advantage, for the respect he gains is only passing, only recognised by those who were familiar with him, and the whole lot of them are eventually removed from the scene of this world and the little drama they put on for a time is swept away into oblivion. St Bernard comments, ‘He who has climbed to the top of the mountain has reached a higher elevation than the man who remains at its base. But for the purpose of reaching the stars, both situations are equally ineffectual’.