7 All a man's labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied . 8 For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool ? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living ? 9 What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires . This too is futility and a striving after wind . 10 Whatever e exists has already been named e , and it is known what man is; for he cannot e dispute with him who is stronger than he is.
11 For there are many words which increase futility . What then is the advantage to a man ? 12 For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime , during the few years of his futile life ? He will spend them like a shadow . For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun ?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 6:7-12
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.