Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Ecclesiastes 3:22

Western Saints

Jerome

"I therefore observed that there is nothing better for man than to be happy in what he is doing, for that is his lot. For who can enable him to see what will be after him? " Instead of that which we have as "to see what will be after him", Symmachus interprets it more clearly saying, "so that he sees those things which will be after these ones". Therefore nothing is good in life, unless a man is happy in his work, doing acts of sympathy, and obtaining his future reward in the realm of heaven. …

Commentary on Ecclesiastes ↗

Bonaventure

And I perceived etc. In the fourth place, on account of this likening, he subjoins how he fell into an erroneous commendation of pleasure, as if nothing were better than it. On account of which he says: I perceived that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, that is, to take delight in present things, as the carnal do, of whom Isaiah fifty-six says: "Come, let us take wine and be filled with drunkenness, and it shall be as today, so also tomorrow and much more." And this commendation is erroneous, because …

Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3 ↗