Ecclesiastes 4:9-17

9 melius ergo est duos simul esse quam unum habent enim emolumentum societatis suae

10 si unus ceciderit ab altero fulcietur vae soli quia cum ruerit non habet sublevantem

11 et si dormierint duo fovebuntur mutuo unus quomodo calefiet

12 et si quispiam praevaluerit contra unum duo resistent ei funiculus triplex difficile rumpitur

13 melior est puer pauper et sapiens rege sene et stulto qui nescit providere in posterum

14 quod et de carcere catenisque interdum quis egrediatur ad regnum et alius natus in regno inopia consumatur

15 vidi cunctos viventes qui ambulant sub sole cum adulescente secundo qui consurgit pro eo

16 infinitus numerus est populi omnium qui fuerunt ante eum et qui postea futuri sunt non laetabuntur in eo sed et hoc vanitas et adflictio spiritus

17 custodi pedem tuum ingrediens domum Dei multo enim melior est oboedientia quam stultorum victimae qui nesciunt quid faciant mali

Ecclesiastes 4:9-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 4

In this chapter the wise man reassumes the consideration of the case of the abuse of power, to show that there is no happiness in this world, in grandeur and authority enjoyed; since, as he had observed before, on the one hand, the oppressor shall be judged and condemned at the great day of account; so, on the other hand, the oppressed have their lives made so uncomfortable, that the dead are preferred unto them, and unborn persons to them both, Ec 4:1-3; Another vanity he observes, that whereas men expect to be happy by their diligence and industry, this brings upon them the envy of others, Ec 4:4; hence some, on the other hand, place their happiness in sloth and ease, which is another vanity, Ec 4:5,6; and others again in covetousness; who are described by their unsocial life, toilsome labour, unsatisfied desires, and withholding good things from themselves, Ec 4:7,8; upon which some things are said, to show the benefits of a social life, Ec 4:9-12. And the chapter is concluded with exposing the vanity of the highest instance of worldly power and grandeur, royal dignity, through the folly of a king; the effects of which are mentioned, Ec 4:13,14; and through the fickleness of the people, who are soon weary of a prince on the throne, and court his successor, Ec 4:15,16.