The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 63

or foll into danger. Similarly, the faculties of the understanding and reason which aro bestowed upon man are intended for the purpose of directing the voluntary actions, which, becoming habitual, constitute man's moral life. The wise man is he who not only possesses such powers, but makes a right nse of them, and orders his way aright. The fool, on the contrary, "walketh in darkness;" i.e. he is as one who, having eyes, makes no use of them-shuts hie eyes, or walks blindfold. The natural consequence is that he wanders from the path, and probably falls into perils and into destruction. ll. THE APPARENT EQUALITY OF THE LOT 011' THE WISE MAN AND THAT OF THE FOOL. The writer of this Book of Ecclesiastes was impressed with the fact that in this world men do not meet with their deserts; that, if there is retribution, it is of a very incomplete character; that the fortune of men is not determined by their moral character. This is a mystery which has oppressed the minds of observant and reflecting men in every age, and has been to some the occasion of falling into scepticism and even atheism. 1. The wise man and the fool in many cases meet with the same fortune here upon earth: "One event happeneth to them all." Wisdom does not always meet with its reward.in earthly prosperity, nor does folly always bring down upon the fool the penalty of poverty, suffeling, and shame. A man may be ignorant, unthinking, and wicked; yet by the exercise of shrewdness and cunning he may advance himself. A wise man may be indifferent to worldly ends, and may neglect the means by which prosperity may be secured. Moral means secure moral ends; but there may be spiritual prosperity which is not crowned by worldly greatness and wealth. 2. The wise man and the fool are alike forgotten arter death. " All shall be forgotten; " "There is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever." All men han some sensitiveness to the reputation which shall survive them; the writer of this book seems to have been particularly sensitive upon this point. He was impressed by the fact that no sooner has a wise and good man departed this life than straightway men proceed to forget him. A few years past, and the memory of the dead itself dies, and good and bad alike are forgotten by a generation interested only in its own affairs. A common oblivion overtakes us all. Such considerations led the author of this book into distress and disheartenment. He was tempted to bate life; it was grievous unto him, and all was vanity and vexation of spirit. A voice within, plausible nnd seductive, urges-Why trouble as to the moral principles by which you are guided? Whether you nre wise or foolish, will it not soon be all the same? Nay, is it not all the same even now? III. THE REAL SUPERIORITY OF WISDOM OVER FOLLY. If we were to look at some verses of this book only, we might infer that the author's mind was quite unhinged by the spectacle of human life; that he really doubted the superintendence of Divine providence; that he did not care to make a:fight for truth, righteousness, and goodness. But although he had doubts and difficulties, though he passed through moods of a pessimistic character, it appears plain that when he came to state his deliberate and reasoned convictions, he showed himself to be a believer in God, and not in fate ; in resolute and self-denying virtue, and not in self-indulgence and cynicism. In this passage are brought together facts which occasion most men perplexity, which bring some men into scepticism. Yet the deliberate conclusion to which the author comes is this: "I snw that wisdom excclleth folly." He had, as we all should have, a better and higher standard of judgment, and a better and higher law of conduct, than the l)benomena of this world can supply. It is not by temporal and earthly results that, we are to form our judgments upon morality and religion; we have a nobler and n truer standard, even our own reason and conscience, the voice of Heaven to which to listen, the candle of the Lord by which to guide our steps. Judged as God judges, judged by theLaw and the Word of God, "wisdom excellethfolly." Let the wise nnd good man be afflicted in his body, let him be plunged into adversity, let him be deserted by his friends, let him be calumniated or forgotten; still he has chosen the better part, and need not envy thE' good fortune of the fool. Even the ancient Stoics maintained this. How much more the followers of Christ, who himself incurred the malice and derision of men; who was despised and rejected and crucified, but who, nevertheless, was bppro\·ed and accepted of God the All-wise, and was exalted to everlasting domiuion ! " Wisdom is justified of her children." The wise man is not to be shaken either by the storms of adversity or by the taunts of the foolish. His is the right path, and LJ 4G ECCLESIASTES; OH, THE PREACHER. [ en. n. 1-26.