Ecclesiastes 5:12 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The sleep of a labouring man, &c.— The sixth and last instance, wherewith this fourth proof, and the whole argument in support of the first proposition, is concluded, is that of the insufficiency of riches to make a man happy, whether he loves money for the sake of money, or is fond of it only as it affords him opportunities of spending it in feasts and entertainments; Ecclesiastes 5:10. This is made the more conspicuous by the opposite instance of the poor labourer. Covetousness is insatiable: yet what is acquired does not turn to the personal advantage of the owner, who does not become capable of consuming more in proportion as he increases in wealth; but must see his income spent, either by the company he delights in, or at least by his servants and other dependants. As for himself, he really fares worse than a ploughman who sleeps sound, even after eating more than the unexercised constitution of the rich man will bear. Whereas the wealthy man is often deprived of the sweets of sleep by the natural consequences of his gluttony: Ecclesiastes 5:11-12.