Ecclesiastes 6:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

A person's efforts are often consumed by their own desires, and even their spirit remains unsatisfied. What benefit does the wise have over the foolish, or what advantage does the impoverished have, if it is merely to navigate the trials of existence? All that individuals earn through toil in this life is devoured by their appetites, while what is chewed is processed and absorbed, bringing momentary pleasure to the throat but losing its distinction once it enters the stomach.

Yet, the irrationality becomes particularly clear when one observes that none of his aspirations come to fruition.

To begin with, I urge you, John, who is favored with youth, to maintain complete silence on your lips so that your efforts in reading and your heartfelt aspirations are not diminished by empty pride. This represents the initial step toward an active understanding of life, as “all the labor of a man is in his mouth” (Ecclesiastes 6:7). It is essential for you to receive the teachings and guidance from the elders with an attentive heart, as if you were mute, and to internalize them diligently, striving to fulfill their directives more readily than to instruct others. Seeking to teach can lead to destructive arrogance, while the fulfillment of these teachings will yield the fruits of spiritual insight.

The affliction is primarily evident in the rich man's tongue, as he pleaded, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame’ (Luke 16:24). The unfaithful held the words of the law on their lips yet failed to act upon them. Thus, it will be particularly scorching for him, as it reflects his awareness of his refusal to fulfill his obligations. Solomon aptly remarks regarding the learned and the slothful: All the labor of a man is for his mouth, yet his soul is not filled, for one who only strives to understand the spoken word, while neglecting to express that understanding through action, remains spiritually empty.

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In addressing the irrational craving for wealth, the virtuous individual emphasizes that riches hold some worth only when put to use; in the absence of pleasure, they are entirely devoid of value. It is preferable to have faced a miscarriage than to live the life of a wealthy individual, for a miscarriage symbolizes complete emptiness, which the wealthy man is unaware of because he lacks understanding of true nothingness. Existence as such is better than enduring such a life, no matter how extended it may be.