Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, December 21st, 2024
the Third Week of Advent
the Third Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary Haydock's Catholic Commentary
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4". "Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/hcc/ecclesiastes-4.html. 1859.
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4". "Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (43)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (5)
Verse 1
Any. God suffereth the innocent to be oppressed for a time, that they may merit a greater reward, Psalm lxxii.
Verse 3
Born. It is better to have no existence than to be in eternal misery, Matthew xxvi. 24. But the affliction of the just procureth glory for them. (Worthington) --- The pagan sages observed, that it was "best for mortals not to be born; and if they were, to die very soon." (Chalcid. and Theognis.) --- But they considered only temporal inconveniences. Religion has in view the danger of sin, and the desire of eternal happiness, Romans vii. 24.
Verse 4
Industries, or Hebrew, "righteous actions." If one be poor, he is in distress; if rich, he is exposed to envy; so that all is vanity. (Calmet)
Verse 5
Flesh, which he will not labour to sustain; (Haydock) or he repines at his own past misconduct, and at the affluence of others.
Verse 6
Mind. These are the words of the slothful, (Calmet) or of truth. (Haydock) (Proverbs xvii. 1.) --- The indolent will not observe moderation in the application of this sentence. (Menochius)
Verse 8
Things? He acts as if he were to live for ever, or feared to be starved.
Verse 9
Therefore is not in Hebrew, &c. The miser had better have some society. It is advantageous; though to refrain from its comforts, out of piety, is not blamed. The solitary must be "an angel or a devil." (Calmet) --- Society. Besides the advantages of friendship, this implies that a person must have Jesus Christ with him, that he may rise from sin and death by his assistance. (St. Jerome) (Worthington)
Verse 10
Fall into sickness, poverty, or sin. The saints have withdrawn people from the dangers of the world into monasteries, where they may fight together against the devil.
Verse 12
Cord. True charity increaseth in strength as it does in number, (St. Jerome; Worthington) though friendship may not admit of more than two persons. (Haydock) --- Some explain this triple cord of the blessed Trinity, or of the three monastic vows [poverty, chastity, and obedience], the theological virtues [faith, hope, and charity], or the parts of penance, &c.
Verse 13
Foolish. Great wisdom and prudence is required of kings; who, like others, are exposed to many vicissitudes.
Verse 14
Prison. The exaltation of Joseph, Mardochai, and Daniel, was remarkable. (Calmet) --- Si fortuna volet, fies de Rhetore Consul. (Juvenal, Sat. vii.)
Verse 15
Second heir. (Menochius) --- "They adore the rising (Papinius) more than the setting sun;["] (Plut.[Plutarch?] Pomp.) and a person is no sooner on the throne than his successor begins to be courted: (ver. 16.) so inconstant are mortals! (Calmet)
Verse 16
In him. Many are perfectly unacquainted with the king, who finds so many admirers about his person, and even of these the greatest part begin to be presently disgusted, and wish for another change.
Verse 17
Keep. Here many begin the fifth chap., as Solomon alters his style, and gives many important instructions. (Calmet) --- For. Hebrew, "rather than that fools should offer sacrifice, since they know not that they are doing wrong." (Montanus) --- Do not imitate hypocrites, (Haydock) who have the appearance of sanctity, while they despise God’s orders, Jeremias vii. 2. (Calmet)
Verse 22
CHAPTER IV.