Ecclesiastes 6:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Many words tend to create emptiness. What advantage does humanity possess? Who can ascertain the gain for man in life, considering the fleeting days of his existence? They become like a mere shadow; who is able to reveal to man what lies ahead for him under the heavens? For it is said that man is unaware of his own condition, and all that he perceives is not the ultimate truth, but rather seen through a fogged lens, as a mere shadow or reflection; since he remains ignorant of the future, and by speaking excessively, he steers clear of wrongdoing: it is wise for him to remain silent and to trust in Him of whom it is said has arrived, believing without inquiring how, who, or in what form He has come.

Even though those who understand the matters that truly matter will never gain any more advantage in life, it is nonetheless true that the overwhelming curiosity of humanity leads them to behave as though they can explore and seemingly grasp what lies beyond each person’s death.

To counter the irrational urge for material wealth, the virtuous individual highlights that such wealth holds value only when put to use, as it is entirely without worth when it yields no pleasure, providing merely transient enjoyment. It is better to be a stillborn than to be a wealthy individual; a stillborn signifies absolute nothingness, yet is unaware of it, unlike the rich who are painfully aware of their emptiness. Non-existence is preferable to a life filled with unfulfilled desires, regardless of its duration. Human labor and wisdom cannot satiate the human soul completely; hence, it is wiser to find contentment in truly valuable things in moderation, to restrain one's cravings, and to avoid futile struggles against a higher power in pursuit of them. We cannot ascertain whether what we desire is truly good, nor do we know if achieving our goals will bring us joy, while the rewards after death, which often comfort men, are beyond our consideration.