Ecclesiastes 6:8

8 So do the wise [really] have an advantage over fools? {Can the poor [really] gain anything by knowing how to act in front of others}?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 6:8

For what hath the wise more than the fool
More delight and pleasure, in gratifying his senses, by eating and drinking: the wise man enjoys no more than the fool; the fool finds as much pleasure in the labour of his hands, which is for his mouth, as the wise man does; and the wise man can get no more satisfaction to his mind, from these outward gratifications, than the fool; what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
either, what does the poor man want more than the rich man, that knows how to get his bread, and is diligent and industrious among men to live, and does get a livelihood for himself and family; he enjoys all the sweets and comforts of life, as well as the rich man: or what hath the poor knowing man? as Aben Ezra interprets it, according to the accents; what has he more or does he enjoy more, than the poor foolish man, provided he has but sense enough to behave himself among men, so as to have bread to eat, and clothes to wear; which is as much as any man can enjoy, be he ever so rich or so wise?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 In-Context

6 Even if a man lives a thousand years twice, if he does not enjoy {prosperity}, {both suffer the same fate}!
7 All of a man's toil [is] for his mouth-- yet his appetite is never satisfied.
8 So do the wise [really] have an advantage over fools? {Can the poor [really] gain anything by knowing how to act in front of others}?
9 {Better to be content with what your eyes see than for your soul to constantly crave more}. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!
10 Whatever is--it was already determined, {what will be--it has already been decided}. As for man, he cannot argue against what is more powerful than him.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Literally "What [is there] for the poor knowing [how] to conduct themselves before the living?"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.