Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Ecclesiastes 9:4

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

Do not, I pray thee, in such a question trust to humility only or to gravity, which are often deceived. Better by far is a living dog in this problem than a dead lion. For a living saint may correct what had not been corrected by another who came before him.

Register of Epistles, Book 9 ↗

Bonaventure

Secondly, it is shown how pleasure arises from this. "No one lives forever." He has now shown how the vanity of false security arises from indistinction; here secondly he shows how pleasure arises from security: and indeed he does this in the following order. First is noted the certainty of death; second, the worsening of one's state through death; third, the commendation of pleasure; fourth, the confirmation of the commendation. First, therefore, the certainty of death is noted by the fact that no one escapes its judgment. …

Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9 ↗