King Solomon’s Observations on Life: From Judaism’s Holy Tanakh: Book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), Part 1 of 2

Today, we will present excerpts from Chapters 8 to 10 from the Holy Tanakh Book of Ecclesiastes, in which King Solomon tackles the benefits of wisdom and the effects of foolishness. He also talks about Heaven’s rewards for the righteous, and the ill consequences for the wicked.

Chapter 8 “A man’s wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face is changed. Who so keeps the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart discerns time and judgment. For to every matter there is a time and judgment.

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil; because a sinner does evil a hundred times, and prolongs his days – though yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before Him; but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he fears not before God.”

Chapter 9 “This also have I seen as wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it; now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I: ‘Wisdom is better than strength; nevertheless, the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.’ The words of the wise spoken in quiet are more acceptable than the cry of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.”

Chapter 10 “Dead flies make the ointment of the perfumer fetid and putrid; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. A wise man’s understanding is at his right hand; but a fool’s understanding at his left. Yea also, when a fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness alleviates great offences. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceeds from a ruler: Folly is set on great heights, and the rich sit in low place.”