Reflections on Ecclesiastes, part 2: the discontents of a king

Where Qohelet meets the Buddha

The words of the Preacher [Qohelet], the son of David, king in Jerusalem… I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and behold all is vanity and a striving after wind [or, feeding on wind]. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered. I said to myself, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.     (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 12 – 18)