Yes I have read it several times in my personal Bible reading and with my congregation two months ago. Fine guidance on life can be found in the Bible book of Ecclesiastes. There we find “the words of the congregator, the son of David the king in Jerusalem.” (Eccl. 1:1, 12) Evidently “the congregator” is King Solomon, who became internationally famous for wisdom. The book of Ecclesiastes contains his counsel both on things that are worthless and on those that are of true value. On what is truly vanity in this life. At Ecclesiastes 1:15 we read: "That which is made crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is wanting cannot possibly be counted.” The lesson here is that It is futile to spend time and energy trying to correct all of the oppression and injustice that we see today. Only God’s Kingdom can do away with wickedness. Ecclesiastes helps us in coping with the unexpected: Ecclesiastes 9:11: “I returned to see under the sun that the swift do not have the race, nor the mighty ones the battle, nor do the wise also have the food, nor do the understanding ones also have the riches, nor do even those having knowledge have the favor; because time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all.” The book closes with this simple and powerful truth: “Fear the true God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole obligation of man.”—ECCLESIASTES 12:13.

Where do you get your information that people of all beliefs consider it to be one of the greatest pieces of wisdom?!? That is just not so. If you want wisdom, try Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, and Pythagoras. Heck, try the Simpsons.

Solomon wrote down some good words under the inspiration of God. Sadly, he also had a lot of foreign wives that served false Gods and they turned his heart against the true God. I like Ecclesiates but I prefer Proverbs just a bit more.

Yes I like it!

I love it because it deals with so many human emotions and existential issues and resolves the frustrations of one man in a simple statement of faith. So much of what we spin our wheels for is fruitless and vain, just like chasing wind. Solomon understood that - eventually.

It is my favorite book in the Bible or out, and I've read it a number of times. It's my only self help book and at numerous times I've looked to it for making decisions in my life. The writing is brilliant, beautiful and the wisdom in it is pure & deep.

sure, this is a wonderful writing of a rich Jew that suffered from the sorrows and disappointments of this earthly life, as we all do, rich or poor...he has realized having it all is not as VALUABLE and has no MEANING of Life without God.... the writer calls himself 'the preacher", "the son of David", & "king in Jerusalem" ..most think it was Solomon but it could of been a later son of David...but it doesn't matter...the message is there for us all...

eclesiastes is indeed a most wonderful book. it is jam packed with divine wisdom that if applied can bring great satisfaction to ones life. one scripture that had a great impact in my life is eclesiastes 12:1, it says: "remember, now, your Grand Creator in the days of your young manhood, before the calamitous days proceed to come, or the years have arrived when you will say: "i have no delight in them." i have tried to live my life according to this counsel. i am not perfect, and for this i know that i needed this wise counsel in my life. as a teenager i saw many of my age getting into drugs as well as abusing alcohol. to this day some of these have actually passed away. i have total sympathy for these poor lost individuals. i know if i had not known the truth of the bible i may have also ended up like them. i do not consider myself an exception and could have gone the same route. i only have my God, his son and his word that has protected me all these years. the counsel found at eclesiastes has played a big part in my life.

I used to read it - out of context of course - and quote it religiously (hee hee).. To wit: There is nothing better under the sun than for a man to eat and drink" - I loved that verse! Now that I am saved and read the Bible daily I understand that it is simply a man who has EVERYTHING (using what we know of Soloman his worth was in excess of one trillion dollars in todays currency)he was trying to tell us that these pleasures don't fulfill the soul. Simply put we all are born with a void in us that ONLY God can fill.... Worldy posessions won't do it (been there)- drugs won't do it.. (done that) nor will pleasures of the flesh (have the t-shirt). It's a hard thing for many to grasp - it took me hitting absolute bottom to "get it". To have salvation you must "get it" too-

I have read it. I don't remember much about it. Although there may be some words of wisdom in some of the books in the bible, all of it is still laced with garbage for a specific goal.

Great book. Best read in Hebrew--sorry, but it makes a big difference! For example... what the heck is the title "Ecclesiastes" about? I mean, I know what it means, but it's definitely not in the original Hebrew. I suppose I can see how that word might be appropriate, but not really. So I'm all about Koheleth. lol

yes several times , read all the way through until the end, and you will truly be blessed and uplifted/

Held by whom? Oh yeah, the same folks who have chosen to worship a book over God. I've read it a couple times yes. So how many movies have been made over it?

+4 It's my favorite book of the Bible. I don't know if I'd call it wisdom literature - there's a bit too much religious content and theme for that to hold true. But it is a poignant and perceptive work that provides a window into the struggle going on inside most of us to find some purpose for our existence. 'A Time for Everything' is both simple and sublime at the same time and is as good as anything ever written by anybody - religious or not.

I've read it, and I find it incredibly sad. Solomon, at the end of his life, is sadder and lacking in hope. There are many other books of the Bible that I'd rather read.

"Vanity of vanities. All is vanity." I have read it many times. However, what must be added to the wisdom of Solomon is, "Love the lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself."

I enjoy the book of Ecclesiastes because it shows me that a man who had over a trillion dollars and could have ANYTHING he desired STILL had that void in his heart that can ONLY be filled by GOD! This society wants us to believe that having the "good life" is all about material things - houses, cars, fame..etc.. But that only tickles the itch we have - The more we try to use the world to solve our problems the further we get from the real SOURCE of happiness...REAL happiness - not temporary. GOD