fierish and are forgotten alike (2"""). The accuniu- ation of wealth is vanity, for the man who has gathered it by toil and wisdom must die and le.ave it to another, it may be to a fool (2"'^). The best thing in life is to eat and drink, as God permits. Yet even this is vanity (2"'^). A time is allotted for everything. This is the doing of God, who has set the world [or eternity] in man's heart, yet so that His plan cannot be understood. Since man cannot understand the plan by which the season for everything is appointed, he will do well to enjoy life as much as lie can. All is fixed unalter- ably by God, that men should fear Him (3'"). The sight of oppression makes him think that God will judge the righteous and the wicked. But man dies like the bea.'fts, and should enjoy life while he may, for he cannot return to it after he is dead (3"'^). The oppression of the helpless convinces him that the dead are in better case than the living, and best of all is not to have been bom at all (4'''), Successful labour is vanity, for it only causes a man to be env-ed (4*-'). The eflbrts of the lonely man to attain Tealth are vanity ; and there is safety and comfort in the possession of a friend (4''"). A
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poor wise j-oiith succeeded an old and foolish king, yet the bright expectations of his rejoicing subjects were disa|i[)ointed (4""'"). Be very circumspect in your service of God and the vows you make to Him, or it will be worse for you (5'"'). Do not be surprised at oppression, for the opjiressors them- selves are under tjTanny. Far better the stale which depends for prosperity on the pursuit of agriculture [or men are much more on a level than they seem ; the king himself depends like all his subjects on the products of the earth] (5'' '). Accumulation of wealth is vanity, for it brings little pleasure and much anxiety (5'°""). Some- times wealth is accumulated by labour and lost by misfortune, so that the possessor has no enjoyment out of it (5"'"). It is best to eat and drink and enjoy life, so far as God gives one the power, and thus make life pass without too much reflexion (5'*"*). God sometimes gives the means of en- joying life, but withholds the power of enjoyment (6'"'). Toil is for the aj)petite which is insatiable, the wise is no better otl than the fool ; possession is better than inordinate desire, but this too is vanity (&''). The destiny of man has been deter- mined for him, he cannot 8tru';gle against it, nor does he know what is good for him (6'°""). A
food name is better than ointment, death than irth, sorrow than mirth ("'''). The end is better than the beginning, patience than vexation, wisdom than property. \Vliether prosperity or adversity be your lot, consider that both come from God, and cannot be altered (7'""). Do not go to extremes in virtue or vice, in wisdom or folly (T"'"). Yet wisdom is strength, since all sin and may need it. Gossip should not be listened to, for a man is sure to hear something unpleasant about himself (7"'^). K. sought wisilom, but could not fully attain it. But he lounil tliis, that woman was more bitter than death, and only the man who pleased God would escape her snares. A good man was as one in a thousand, but a good woman he had not found at all. This was not the fault of God, but of man, who had sought out many inventions (7'^'^). Wisdom is the best. Be obedient to the king, and in time of oppression do not be tempted to rebel, for judgment will come on the tyrant (8'"°). The wicked some- times fare as the righteous, and the righteous as the wicked, yet it is better with the righteous than with the wicked ; but since all is vanity, it is best to eat, drink, and be merry, for that, at any rate, will last as long as life (8'°'"). However wise a man may be, he cannot understand the work of God. All men are in His hand, and cannot e.scape the universal lot. Life is bad, but it has hope ; death comes to all, and with it the lo.S3 of consciousness, feeling, and activity (8'"-9*). Enjoy life to the full, nnvexed by scruple as to the approval of God (?) ; get the most out of this life, for there is nothing to be looked for beyond it (O'"'"). In the conflict of life merit does not ensure success, but it is matter of chance and circumstance. Men are snared by misfortune as fish are caught in a net. Wisdom. is better than strength, yet, as in the case of the poor man who delivered the city, it meets with ingrati- tude and forgetfulness (9"'''). Wisdom is far better than folly, it will guide man ariglit in his relations with princes, save him from danger by putting him on his guard, and guide him in practical life. Yet a capricious ruler may exalt folly (9"-10"). A fool's talk is worthless, and his laWur wearisome ,10""). Unhappy is the land whose king is a child and whose princes are slothful and glutton- ous ; while that countrj' is blessed whose king is of noble character am! whose princes are temi)erate. But if the king be bad, it is ]irudent not to curse him even in secrecy, for his spies are everj'where, and will tell him of it (lO'*""). Be benevolent [or prudent], so that you may be safe in time of VOL. I. — 41