Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Ecclesiastes 6:9

Western Saints

Jerome

"Better is what the eyes see than what is imagined. That, too, is futility and a vexation of the spirit." Symmachus interpreted this clearly, he says: "it is better to make provision, than to walk about as it pleases you". That is, it is better to do all things according to what you know to be right in your mind, which is the eye of the soul, than to follow the desire of your heart. For this is to wander in spirit, just as Ezekiel says: "he who walks by the desire of his heart" [Ezek. 11, 21.]. …

Commentary on Ecclesiastes ↗

Bonaventure

It is asked concerning what he says: "It is better to see what you desire than to desire what you do not know." Therefore it does not involve a contradiction that someone can desire what he does not know. On the contrary: Augustine says that "we can love things unseen, but things unknown in no way"; thus therefore, in order for something to be loved and desired, it is necessary that it be known. …

Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7 ↗