9 What 'is' that which hath been? it 'is' that which is, and what 'is' that which hath been done? it 'is' that which is done, and there is not an entirely new thing under the sun. 10 There is a thing of which 'one' saith: 'See this, it 'is' new!' already it hath been in the ages that were before us! 11 There is not a remembrance of former 'generations'; and also of the latter that are, there is no remembrance of them with those that are at the last.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
(Read Ecclesiastes 1:9-11)
Men's hearts and their corruptions are the same now as in former times; their desires, and pursuits, and complaints, still the same. This should take us from expecting happiness in the creature, and quicken us to seek eternal blessings. How many things and persons in Solomon's day were thought very great, yet there is no remembrance of them now!