“There is an
evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the
ruler. Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. I have
seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.”
(Ecclesiastes 10:5-7)
Here Kohelet reminds us that every choice that
we make has effects or consequences. This applies to positive actions and
negative choices. The second verse is quite insightful for us to understand the
times we live. When he says that “folly is set in great dignity”, is referring
to the glamorization of ego’s fantasies and illusions, presented as respectable
options for an acceptable lifestyle.
This cultural, social or fashion trend considers
certain beliefs that label goodness according to their own benefit or gain as
part of the dignity inherent in life. Thus we understand the “rich” as the ones
who believe in the uncompromising quality of goodness, sitting it in the “low
place” of materialistic fantasies and illusions.
The final verse illustrates this moral decay
when we see the fool acclaimed as respectable, and the respectable (the
“princes”) behaving as slaves by their materialistic obsessions, attachments
and addictions.
“He who digs a
pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a
snake. Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood
may be endangered thereby.” (10:8-9)
In this predicament we become aware that the
desire of living in fantasies and illusions makes us fall into them, and become
liable for the afflictions that come out of them. Once we are trapped in them,
only their ways rule our life to inflict pain and suffering. These verses
illustrate quite well this predicament.
“If the ax is
blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength. And
wisdom is advantageous to make right. And wisdom has the advantage to succeed.” (10:10)
Kohelet compares wisdom to an ax that has to be
sharpened. The sharpening of the ax is the necessary learning process that makes
us wise. The comparison invites to develop discernment and understanding as the
means to achieve the proper knowledge required to make righteous judgments.
In this sense, having a sharp mind implies to
“cut” out the foolishness of ego’s fantasies and illusions from our hearts, and
leave in it only the righteous ways and attributes of goodness to approach all
aspects and facets of life. In this wise approach we can only expect the success
inherent in goodness.
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