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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
What is vanity of mind? It is the being busied about vain things. And what are those vain things, but all things in the present life? Of which the Preacher saith, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." But a man will say, If they be vain and vanity, wherefore were they made? If they are God's works, how are they vain? And great is the dispute concerning these things. But hearken, beloved: it is not the works of God which he calls vain; God forbid! …
Western Saints
Jerome
"Vanity of vanities" said Ecclesiastes", Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." If all things that God made are truly good then how can all things be considered vanity, and not only vanity, but even vanity of vanities? Just as Song of Songs means a song that stands out from amongst all songs, so we see that in "vanity of vanities" the degree of vanity is shown. It is also written similarly in Psalm 38.6: "Nevertheless every living man is vanity." If living man is vanity then a dead man must be vanity of vanities. …
Bonaventure
Concerning the purpose of the book of Ecclesiastes: it is said that the purpose of the book is contempt of the world. That it is so determined, is proved by that which is said in James 4: "The friendship of this world is enmity with God": but everything that is hostile to God, it is good to despise. …
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