Read this when
Ecclesiastes
Burned out from chasing more? A 2,000+ year-old book said it first: 'all is vanity.' Then it said: go eat something good with people you love.
Who it's for
Qohelet tries everything, building, wealth, pleasure and wisdom, and finds all of it hevel, a word meaning vapour or breath, often translated 'vanity' or 'meaningless'.
Feelings it meets
What it is
Ecclesiastes is a book of the Hebrew Bible written in the voice of Kohelet (Qohelet), who is introduced as a son of David and king in Jerusalem. He examines wisdom, pleasure, wealth and work and concludes that all of it is hevel, a word meaning 'vapour' or 'breath' that is often translated as vanity or futility, because death comes to everyone alike.
Where to find it
The King James and other older translations are public domain and free online (Project Gutenberg KJV, Bible Gateway). Robert Alter's 'The Wisdom Books' (with Job and Proverbs) is in print and in libra.
Before you start
Age: Ages 12+
That I exist is a perpetual surprise which is life.Rabindranath Tagore, Stray Birds, no. 22
