The Doctrine of the Vanity of Man

Click here to read Ecclesiastes 1.

In this chapter, the author lays down the general doctrine of the vanity of man. As proof of this doctrine, he gives 5 conditions that exist in a man's life.

1. The shortness of life, borne out by the number of burials.
2. The problems of life, borne out by the constant turmoil in which we find ourselves.
3. The labors of life, from birth to death, with little satisfaction in them.
4. The repetition of trials in life, from which there is no escape.
5. The futility of life, all things are condemned to die.

He continues his presentation of this doctrine by declaring the uselessness of man's knowledge and learning, especially in the areas of philosophy and politics. He concluded that there is work in the getting of knowledge but little to be done with it for there is no satisfaction in it. Thus if knowledge is vanity, then all other things which are inferior to knowledge, are vanity also. Perfection is the only thing that brings happiness.

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