Secondly, success meets with envy, and produces no lasting good to the worker; yet, however unsatisfactory the result, man must continue to labor, as idleness is ruin.
Bible Commentary
Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain
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The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:1-16Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:1-16Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentarySection 5. Koheleth proceeds to give further illustrations of man's inability to be the architect of his own happiness. There are many things which interrupt or destroy it.Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:4-6Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentarySolomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and op…The Prevalence of OppressionEcclesiastes 4:4-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE PREVALENCE OF OPPRESSION. Here Solomon returns to the observation and consideration of the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend the business of this world, which he had spoken of before, Ecclesiastes 2:11. I. I…The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4Ecclesiastes 4:4 · The Pulpit CommentaryAgain, I considered all travail, and every right work. The word rendered "right" is kishron (see on Ecclesiastes 2:21), and means rather "dexterity," "success." Kohe-leth says that he reflected upon the industry that me…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:1-16EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:1-16Section 5. Koheleth proceeds to give further illustrations of man's inability to be the architect of his own happiness. There are many things which interrupt or destroy it.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:4-6Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and op…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Prevalence of OppressionTHE PREVALENCE OF OPPRESSION. Here Solomon returns to the observation and consideration of the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend the business of this world, which he had spoken of before, Ecclesiastes 2:11. I. I…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4Again, I considered all travail, and every right work. The word rendered "right" is kishron (see on Ecclesiastes 2:21), and means rather "dexterity," "success." Kohe-leth says that he reflected upon the industry that me…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:5The connection of this verse with the preceding is this: activity, diligence, and skill indeed bring success, but success is accompanied by sad results. Should we, then, sink into apathy, relinquish work, let things sli…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:6Better is a handful with quietness; literally, better a hand full of rest. Than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit; literally, than two hands full of travail, etc. This verse, which has been various…Joseph S. Exell and contributors