1 The Preacher sheweth that all things here below are vain, 4 because the creatures are restless in their courses, 9 and there is nothing new brought forth, but the old things are forgotten. 12 He sheweth it by his own experience to be so in the studies of wisdom.
1 The vanity which the Preacher found in the pursuits of pleasure. 12 Wisdom excelleth folly, yet a like event happeneth to both. 18 The vanity of human labour, the fruit of which must soon be left to a man knoweth not whom. 24 Nothing better than a cheerful use of what a man hath gotten; but that is the gift of God to the good only.
1 By the necessary change of times vanity is added to human travail. 11 There is a fitness in God's works, which man cannot thoroughly find out. 12 , 22 Man's object is to enjoy present good, so far as God alloweth, whose counsels are immutable. 16 From the abuses of human judgments God's judgment is inferred. 18 Men and beasts are visibly alike in their mortal bodies; 21 their spirits, which go different ways, are unknown.
1 The vanity of human life increased by oppression; 4 and by envy. 5 The absurdity of idleness. 6 The good of contentment. 7 The folly and misery of covetousness. 9 The advantages of society. 13 The throne of kings is not exempt from vanity and vexation.
1 Cautions against abuses in divine service; 8 against murmuring at oppression. 9 The vanity of riches. 18 The cheerful enjoyment of what a man hath is good, and the gift of God, and a blessing to him that hath it.
1 The vanity and misery of riches to one that wanteth an heart to use them; 3 to whom, although he hath many children and long life, an untimely birth is preferable. 7 The vanity of insatiable desires. 10 From the past, which is known, the vanity of man is seen; the future is unknown.
1 Remedies against the vanity of life are, a good name, 2 mortification, 7 patience, 11 wisdom, or a considerate and prudent conduct. 23 The difficulty of getting wisdom. 25 The result of the Preacher's researches.
1 True wisdom inspireth modesty. 2 Kings are to be respected, 6 man's ignorance of futurity; 8 his inability in the day of death. 11 The common abuse of God's forbearance. 12 Good and bad men will surely meet with their deserts in the end, though it fall out otherwise for a time. 15 Cheerful enjoyment of present good commended. 16 God's work is unsearchable.
1 Like things happen on earth to good and bad men. 4 With the living is hope, but the dead have no more concern with this world. 7 An exhortation cheerfully to enjoy the goods of life, and to act with vigour, while the time serveth. 11 Human probabilities are not always justified by the event. 13 Wisdom is better than strength.
1 Observations on wisdom and folly; 16 on the defects and virtues of governors; 18 on slothfulness; 19 on money. 20 Men's thoughts of kings ought to be reverent.
1 Exhortations to charitableness. 7 Death ought to be remembered in life, 9 and the day of judgment in the days of youth.
1 The Creator to be remembered in due time. 8 The Preacher's care to edify. 13 The general conclusion, that man's chief concern is to fear God, and obey his laws.