Ecclesiastes 8:5 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Whoso keepeth the commandment— He that observeth despotic commands, will not discern a wrong order; but the wise man's heart will discern both time and reason: (Ecclesiastes 8:6.) For there is both time and reason to every determination of his will; because man's evils are multiplied upon him (Ecclesiastes 8:7.) by his not knowing futurity; for who will shew him what turn things shall take? Desvoeux. By means of his translation, the opposition is exactly kept up, and every thing is plain. The reason given for advising to withdraw from your observation of the king's countenance, as soon as you perceive that he is about to give an evil word, or wrong order, is proper; he will do whatsoever he pleaseth; and you cannot expect that he should allow you the liberty of controlling his absolute commands, especially when he is in a passion. The opposition is, between him who prostitutes his discernment to passive obedience, and him who, through a proper use of his reason, deserves the name of a wise man.