Ecclesiastes 6:5,6 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Nor known any thing: this hath, &c.— Nor known the difference of one thing from another: Ecclesiastes 6:6. Nay, though he had lived twice a thousand years, without enjoying happiness, do not both go to one place? Desvoeux. Houbigant renders the clause in the 16th verse, Yet hath he seen no good, by enjoying good. From the instances mentioned in the first and second proof, the sacred orator infers, from the third to the present verses, by way of corollary, that the fate of an abortive is preferable to that of many men, and especially of those whose condition he had described, and to whose case he refers again. To have come into the world in vain; that is to say, so as to have nothing remaining of what one might imagine you came for; to depart without being taken notice of; to be soon forgotten; is the common fate of the abortive, and of the man who, notwithstanding the longest life most honourably spent, does not get fortune enough to enable him to provide a sepulchre for himself. Nay, the former has the advantage of him who had the tempting knowledge of the pleasures of this world, without being allowed the fruition: If the abortive was not blessed with the enjoyment, he was not tormented with the eagerness of desires.

Ecclesiastes 6:5-6

5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

6 Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?