Ecclesiastes 7:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Follow the commands given to you, and, fortified by the wisdom you receive, ready your heart for both the pleasant and the challenging. Pay no heed to what adversaries declare about you, nor be concerned with the judgments of those who do not know you. Just like a wise individual who disregards the whispers of subordinates and refrains from seeking to know what is said when he is not present—since doing so will only lead to unrest and irritation at their chatter—so too should a discerning person be directed by wisdom, turning away from meaningless gossip. Furthermore, consider this additional point: one should not be overly troubled by the words of others, for your own conscience reminds you that you have often spoken ill of others. Therefore, when criticized, offer forgiveness. Moreover, this implies that one must refrain from hasty judgment, recognizing that one ought not to comment on the speck in another's eye while neglecting the beam in their own.

The words of the unrighteous should not be taken to heart, for doing so may lead you to hear with your own ears the slander directed at you, much like the empty chatter of the unfaithful servant.

The wise individual's focus should be on the ultimate purpose of life; thus, it is more beneficial to remember the fleeting and trivial nature of worldly pleasures rather than to indulge in false gratification through them (7:2-8). From the triviality of earthly pursuits, the preacher urges caution against discontent and impatience. When embarking on a new endeavor, one should approach it thoughtfully, avoiding arrogant opposition, as it often concludes more favorably than it begins: therefore, patience is essential as we await its resolution (9:10). Complaining is the folly of individuals who resist God’s sovereign order (11). The value of wisdom surpasses that of material wealth; it provides true life to a person (12:13).