7 All the labour of man 'is' for his mouth, and yet the soul is not filled. 8 For what advantage 'is' to the wise above the fool? What to the poor who knoweth to walk before the living? 9 Better 'is' the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul. This also 'is' vanity and vexation of spirit. 10 What 'is' that which hath been? already is its name called, and it is known that it 'is' man, and he is not able to contend with him who is stronger than he.
11 For there are many things multiplying vanity; what advantage 'is' to man? 12 For who knoweth what 'is' good for a man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he maketh them as a shadow? for who declareth to man what is 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.