| Re: An Idea
Hi Drifter;
I believe it was King Solomon who wrote those words and it wasn't meant to be sarcastic. Rather after searching for the meaning of life through wealth, love, wisdom, he finally came to the conclusion that to eat, drink and be merry, is the best one can achieve. Extremely wise Solomon.
[quote=Drifter;44496]... "and the sarcastic words of the initiate, Paul, "Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die" characterize the attitude of the majority of men."
Ecclesiastes isn't tearing down human creativity out of spite. In fact, his ultimate message is "Don't worry, be happy" -- since you can't do anything new or significant, you might as well just enjoy yourself. "There is nothing better for a man," he advises, "than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour" (2: 24; compare 3: 13). And later: "a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry" (8: 15). If you're tempted to add, "for tomorrow he dies," that part of the proverb is supplied by Isaiah (Isaiah 22: 13) in one of his merrier moods.
Best to you,
Pat  |