Ecclesiastes 7:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

O mortal, reflect on the fleeting nature of your life, for when your physical body is no more, your earthly existence will come to an end. Strive to create a legacy that endures, so that your name may bring joy to future generations, just as the sweet aroma of incense pleases the senses. Simmachus interprets this beautifully by stating, "Better a good name than a fragrant ointment," recognizing that in Hebrew culture, oil is often referred to as fine ointment. He also notes that "the day of death is better than the day of his birth," suggesting that leaving this world offers liberation from the trials and tribulations of life. Moreover, at the moment of death, we gain understanding of our true nature, which is obscured at birth; thus, while birth confines the soul to the body, death frees it.

A cherished recollection brings greater joy to the spirit than oil does to the flesh, and the conclusion of life is more favorable than its beginning.

To address the irrational craving for material wealth, the virtuous individual reiterates that riches hold some significance only when put to use; between individuals, they hold no true value when devoid of pleasure, reduced merely to enjoyment. It is deemed more favorable to experience a miscarriage than to be such a wealthy person; the miscarriage signifies complete emptiness, yet the affluent individual remains unaware of this nothingness, while the rich man experiences and comprehends it. Existence in such a state is preferable to a life of excess, regardless of its duration. Human labor, alongside wisdom, does not truly satisfy the soul.