Changes

:Objective considerations of contemporary phenomena compel the conclusion that success or failure in competitive activities exhibits no tendency to be commensurate with innate capacity, but that a considerable element of the unpredictable must invariably be taken into account.

:Objective considerations of contemporary phenomena compel the conclusion that success or failure in competitive activities exhibits no tendency to be commensurate with innate capacity, but that a considerable element of the unpredictable must invariably be taken into account.

Six verses before the end the tone shifts abruptly. Beginning with the words "and moreover," a second voice takes over. Isaac Asimov notes that this second writer is "apparently appalled at the pessimism of the Preacher" and tries to sum up in a conclusion that does not contradict the Preacher or deny his wisdom, yet is less negative in tone. He does seem to suggest that a danger in being overly intellectual: "by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." (Ecc 12:12) In a summary that does not really seem to summarize the Preacher's words, he says: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."  

Six verses before the end the tone shifts abruptly. Beginning with the words "and moreover," a second voice takes over. Isaac Asimov notes that this second writer is "apparently appalled at the pessimism of the Preacher" and tries to finish up that does not contradict the Preacher or deny his wisdom, yet is less negative in tone. He does seem to suggest that a danger in being overly intellectual: "by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." (Ecc 12:12) In a summary that does not really seem to summarize the Preacher's words, he says: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."  

''Ecclesiastes'' should not be confused with ''Ecclesiasticus,'' which a completely different book of the Bible. ''Ecclesiasticus'' is found in the Catholic Douay bible; in Protestant bibles it is either omitted or included as one of the ''apocrypha,'' material considered valuable but not having the full authority of Scripture.

''Ecclesiastes'' should not be confused with ''Ecclesiasticus,'' which a completely different book of the Bible. ''Ecclesiasticus'' is found in the Catholic Douay bible; in Protestant bibles it is either omitted or included as one of the ''apocrypha,'' material considered valuable but not having the full authority of Scripture.