For there is a man whose labour [is] in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it [for] his portion. This also [is] vanity and a great evil.
Ver. 21. For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom.] This seemed to Solomon - whose own case it was like to be - so unworthy a thing, and such a vexation of spirit, that he can never say enough of it; but could find in his heart to cry out with the poet, Tρις κακοδαιμων και τετρακις και πεντακις και δωδεκακις και μυριακις, I am thrice miserable, nay, ten times, nay, a hundred, nay, a thousand times so, that am born to be a provident and a perfect drudge of an idle drone, or perhaps of a mere stranger.
This is also vanity and a great evil.] Not privation of good only, a nothing; but a position of evil, a sad thing; an inconvenience not to be avoided by the most circumspect prudence; for it is written, He taketh a the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts b of the wise, their inward disceptations, their debating the matter with themselves, that they are vain. 1Co 3:19-20 The rich fool talked to himself, c as fools used to do, and set down how everything should be; Luk 12:17 but it proved somewhat otherwise ere he was a day older.
a Dρασσομενος .
b διαλογισμους .
c Dιελογιζετο .