Shavixmir’s recent ramblings on happiness got me to thinking. An awful lot of time is spent seeking fulfillment or even discussing what is necessary to achieve fulfillment. The subject has been written about for at least the last 35 centuries or so. It’s interesting that the first guy I know of who discussed it at length is the same guy who said:
“Of making many books there is no end….”
That was Solomon about 1500 B.C. in one of my favorite books, Ecclesiastes. If you’re really interested in pursuing happiness, it’s worth reading (it’s really a booklet, and shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes or so –it’s time well spent).
Solomon was fabulously wealthy. He had all the wealth and luxury anyone could imagine, and was a pretty darned smart guy (he’s best known for his wisdom – hence the cliché, “the wisdom of Solomon&rdquo😉. But, in spite of all his wealth and wisdom, he wasn’t happy, and he wanted to know why. The book of Ecclesiastes is his discussion of his pursuit of understanding the meaning of life. He broke his pursuit down into several parts.
First, he set his mind on maximizing wisdom and knowledge. His conclusion? “’I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.’ And I applied my heart 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.”
In turn, he pursued pleasure of all kinds (money, possessions, alcohol, grand projects, even sex), wise living, work, accumulation of wealth, gaining honor and respect, etc. He tried it all. His conclusion? It’s all vanity, trying to grasp the wind. You cannot achieve lasting happiness in this life, no matter how hard you pursue it, apart from God. “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” “Go, eat your bread in joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge in Sheol [the grave], to which you are going.”
Originally posted by The PlumberWell if it's taken that long to get absolutely nowhere in the ol' 'seeking fulfilment' field, than I think it's about time to give up and go do something more fulfilling with your time 😉
Shavixmir’s recent ramblings on happiness got me to thinking. An awful lot of time is spent seeking fulfillment or even discussing what is necessary to achieve fulfillment. The subject has been written about for at least the last 35 centuries or so. It’s interesting that the first guy I know of who discussed it at length is the same guy who said:
“ ...[text shortened]... ght, for there is no work or thought or knowledge in Sheol [the grave], to which you are going.”
Originally posted by The PlumberSounds like an infomercial . What are you hawkin' here ?
Shavixmir’s recent ramblings on happiness got me to thinking. An awful lot of time is spent seeking fulfillment or even discussing what is necessary to achieve fulfillment. The subject has been written about for at least the last 35 centuries or so. It’s interesting that the first guy I know of who discussed it at length is the same guy wh ...[text shortened]... or there is no work or thought or knowledge in Sheol [the grave], to which you are going.”
Originally posted by The PlumberI get my Bible Study on for just under $30 per year at:
Bibles....I have stock in King James Publishing, Inc. Buy two, one for the office, and one for the home. 😕
http://www.timeforchess.com/board/threadlist.php?forumid=23
RX
Act Now and I'll insult you for free! Quantities limited.
Originally posted by The PlumberAre these used ? I don't want used bibles . The last time I got used bibles from those snake-oil salesmen at the Gideons , all of the pages in Songs of Solomon were stuck together .
Bibles....I have stock in King James Publishing, Inc. Buy two, one for the office, and one for the home. 😕
Originally posted by The PlumberAnd yet he finished his life by going off with a bunch of foreign women, worshipping their gods. Sounds like the hotties won out after all.
Shavixmir’s recent ramblings on happiness got me to thinking. An awful lot of time is spent seeking fulfillment or even discussing what is necessary to achieve fulfillment. The subject has been written about for at least the last 35 centuries or so. It’s interesting that the first guy I know of who discussed it at length is the same guy who said:
“ ...[text shortened]... ght, for there is no work or thought or knowledge in Sheol [the grave], to which you are going.”
Originally posted by PhlabibitWasn't really intended to be a Bible Study - more of a different perspective on Shavi's ramblings (can't help it if my source for perspecitve is the Bible, versus Shavi's source being Bertrand Russel).
I get my Bible Study on for just under $30 per year at:
http://www.timeforchess.com/board/threadlist.php?forumid=23
RX
Act Now and I'll insult you for free! Quantities limited.
And feel free to bring on the free insults - just make sure I get my money's worth....😉