Vanities Social and Political. 4:1-16

But this Seeker after all that is done under the sun, cannot remain in the self-complacent enjoyment to which he resorts. He must, like wind and wave, move and turn in ever restless mood. He turns, he looks, and lo! another vanity! He beholds all the oppressions done under the sun, and declares, for the comfortless oppressed, it were better to be dead; yea, for both living and dead, it were better never to have been at all! Here is another descent into hopelessness; just as at the beginning, in regard to his own experiences and labors, he revolved his thoughts until he made his heart despair, so now he thinks it better never to have been, on seeing the sad experiences of his fellows.

And then he beholds vanity after vanity, social and political; how the successful rich man is envied of his neighbor; how the lazy fool derides the rich man's striving after wind; low the lone miser toils in vain, never knowing the good of companionship; and how the wise youth, in place of an old and foolish king, will be the idol of the fickle multitude for a season, only to be neglected and forgot ten in his turn. It is humbling, but very true in every age and all lauds, that each generation is self-centered and cares naught for what was before or what will be after it. Not to be always popular and " daily swallowed by men's eyes," proves life and royalty to be but vapor, and all effort and " bold emprise " a striving after wind.

"Die two months ago and not forgotten yet? Then there's hope a great man's memory may outlive his life half a year! "