Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Ecclesiastes 11:8

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

He shews himself to live with good heed and circumspection, who, in considering the shortness of the present life does not look to the furtherance but to the ending of it, so as to gather from the end, that all is nought that delights while it is passing. For hence it is said by Solomon, But if a man live many years and rejoice in them all, yet let him remember the time of darkness, and the days that shall be many; and when they come, the past shall be convinced of vanity. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book 9 ↗

Bonaventure

Second, he calls back from evil by consideration of future punishment. If a man has lived many years etc. Above he exhorted to good by consideration of reward; here he intends to call back from evil by consideration of future punishment: and indeed he does this in this order. First he says that memory of the future time must be maintained: second, he reproves present joy; third, he exhorts to cast away all wickedness and abundance of malice. …

Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Chapter 11 ↗