Commentary on Ecclesiastes

Chapter 6

237 CHAPTER VI CHAPTER 6 ECCLESIASTES 6:1-7 AVARICE IS TO BE DESPISED BECAUSE RICHES OFTEN GO TO STRANGERS 1. There is also another evil, etc. He has shown above that riches are to be despised both because they do not benefit their owner and are often not handed on to the heirs. Here in a third point he shows they are to be contemned, because they often fall into the hands of strangers. He proceeds in the following order. First, he intimates the loss of riches hoarded. Second, a detestation of niggardliness where verse 3 reads: If a man beget, etc.Third, he adds the reason for this detestation where verse 4 states: For he came in vain, etc. 2. (Verses 1-2). First, Ecclesiastes has considered the vanity arising from riches and now states, develops, and concludes this consideration. He states it saying: There is also another evil that I have seen under the sun. This evil is increased from a circumstance frequent among men and women, that is, among the weak lovers of the world and the rich. About these Psalm 4:3 says: “O you children of men and women, how long will you be dull of heart? Why do you love vanity and seek after lying?” 238 ST. BONAVENTURE’S COMMENTARY ON ECCLESIASTES 3. He develops his point about the vanity that consists in holding on to riches while another devours them. So he continues: A man, to whom God has given riches, in movable goods; and substance, in immovable goods;and honor, in sublime goods. For everything is from God. Riches are from God, as Proverbs 3:16 reads: “Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.”And substance is from God,especially that of which Sirach 13:30 says: “Substantial riches are good to the person who has no sin on his conscience.” Similarly, honor is from God, as seen in the words Daniel spoke to Belshazzar in Daniel 5:18: “O king, the most high God gave to . . . your father a kingdom and greatness . . . and honor.” And to complete the perfect abundance of the goods of fortune, he adds: And his soul wants nothing of all that he desires, because he has sufficient. In this text the word soul means carnal life, about which we read in John 12:25: “The person who loves his life will lose it.” So the person has an abundance of possessions, but by hoarding them out of avarice he loses the ability to enjoy them. So he adds: Yet God does not give him power to eat thereof, because he continually holds on to them in vain. Thus, Sirach 14:3 reads: “Substantial riches make no sense in the hands of a covetous and niggardly man, and what will an envious person do with gold?” Neither he nor his children get to use them, but strangers get them. So he adds: But a stranger will eat them up. Thus, Sirach 14:4 states:“The person who gathers together by wronging his own soul, gathers for others.And another will live luxuriously off his goods.”And Proverbs 13:22 says: “The substance of a sinner is kept for the just.” – And from this he infers vanity: And this is vanity and a great misery. Vanity, because he does not enjoy it. Misery, because he is sad, as others take away his wealth. Isaiah 1:7 reads: “Strangers devour your country before you.” 239 CHAPTER VI 4. (Verse 3). If someone beget, etc. Here he states his despising of niggardliness because of the loss just mentioned. And he blames this niggardliness which is aimed at being secure in the future. So he adds: If a man beget a hundred children, speaking in hyperbole, that is, many children, for evil people often have evil children who do not provide joy even if they be many. Sirach 16:1 states: “Rejoice not in ungodly children, if they be multiplied. Neither be delighted in them.”1 To have an abundance of children is a temporary prosperity that is followed by another temporary prosperity: And live many years,that is,through many years. And attain to a great age, namely, more than others. And this prosperity is also a passing one. Often the wicked have this prosperity. Ecclesiastes 7:16 below reads: “A wicked person lives a long time in his...