A few verses in Ecclesiastes...

I was reading through Ecclesiastes this summer when I was watching the neighbor's dairy, and came across quite a few gems in this book, these are only a portion of them. We have to look past when he says everything is pointless and feeding on the wind, to see the beauty of the book.

Just some very short thoughts. Nothing much really, maybe something will jump out to you as well...

"Two are better than one, in that their cooperative efforts yield this advantage: if one of them falls, the other will help his partner up." 4:9

This is what we need to look for in our next leader:

"... the greatest advantage to the country is when the king makes himself a servant to the land." 5:7(8)

"Also, everyone to whom G-d has given riches and wealth, along with the power to enjoy it, so that he takes his allotted portions and finds pleasure in his work - this is a gift of G-d; for he will not brood over the fact that his life is short, since G-d keeps him occupied with what will bring him joy." 5:18(19)-19(20) So try to find joy in the task at hand, it is a blessing from G-d!

"A good name is better than perfumed oil" 7:1

"Don't grasp just one of these rules; take hold of the other as well; for he who is in fear of G-d will live by both of them." 7:18

"To a wise man wisdom is better protection than ten rulers in a city." 7:19

"Also, don't take seriously every word spoken, such as when you hear your servant speaking badly of you; because often, as you yourself know, you have spoken badly of others." 7:21-22

Maybe this is why I love mornings :)

"In the morning, sow your seed; and don't slack off until evening; for you don't know which sowing will succeed, this, or that, or if both will do well. Then the light will be sweet, and it will be a pleasure to see the sun." 11:6-7

And this one really spoke to me, looking at the situation of the young generation of our time.

"Young person, if you spend your youth only having fun, if you use your early years just to entertain yourself, if you follow your heart as you live your life, and let your eyes be your guide; understand that for all these things G-d will bring you to judgement. Therefore, remove anger from your heart; and keep from harming your body; for neither adolescence nor youth has any lasting value." 11:9-10

Interesting that he pin points these actions as a root of anger...

At the very end, but perhaps the most important...

"Here is the final conclusion, now that you have heard everything: fear G-d and keep his mitzvot; this is what being human is all about. For G-d will bring to judgement everything we do, including every secret, whether good or bad. [Here is the final conclusion, now that you have heard everything: fear G-d, and keep his mitzvot, this is what being human is all about.]" 12:13-14