11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
11 The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?
11 The more words that are spoken, the more smoke there is in the air. And who is any better off?
11 Since there are many things that increase vanity, How is man the better?
11 The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 6:11
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 6:7-12
(Read Ecclesiastes 6:7-12)
A little will serve to sustain us comfortably, and a great deal can do no more. The desires of the soul find nothing in the wealth of the world to give satisfaction. The poor man has comfort as well as the richest, and is under no real disadvantage. We cannot say, Better is the sight of the eyes than the resting of the soul in God; for it is better to live by faith in things to come, than to live by sense, which dwells only upon present things. Our lot is appointed. We have what pleases God, and let that please us. The greatest possessions and honours cannot set us above the common events of human life. Seeing that the things men pursue on earth increase vanities, what is man the better for his worldly devices? Our life upon earth is to be reckoned by days. It is fleeting and uncertain, and with little in it to be fond of, or to be depended on. Let us return to God, trust in his mercy through Jesus Christ, and submit to his will. Then soon shall we glide through this vexatious world, and find ourselves in that happy place, where there is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore.