The philosophical and moral ideas of Ecclesiastes can be interpreted as a profound reflection on the futility of earthly affairs and the inner disappointment that arises from realizing life's impermanence.

The Futility of Earth's Endeavors

The philosophical and moral ideas of Ecclesiastes can be interpreted as a profound reflection on the futility of earthly affairs and the inner disappointment that arises from realizing life's impermanence. The author of the book demonstrates that even the most persistent labors and accumulated wisdom turn into vanity and spiritual languor, since everything that man creates under the sun is subject to the relentless cycle of nature, where each new day merely repeats the past.

As indicated in one excerpt, "Initially, Ecclesiastes shows that the cycle of nature — the sun rises and sets, the wind follows its course, all streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full — symbolizes the cyclicity and meaninglessness of human endeavors. 'I have grown weary of all my labor under the sun, for I must leave it to the one who comes after me,' he states, pointing to the futility of these efforts.

And further: 'And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?

Yet he will have control of all my labor, with which I have shown myself to be wise under the sun. And all is vanity!'" (source: link txt).

In another passage, the author repeats the refrain, emphasizing the meaninglessness of all human efforts: "Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, vanity of vanities — all is vanity! What does a man gain from all his labor under the sun? One generation passes away, and another comes, but the earth remains forever… [...] and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind!" (source: link txt). Here, through the image of nature’s repetition and the inevitability of generational change, a moral message is conveyed that earthly achievements, whether in the accumulation of wealth, wisdom, or material pleasures, do not bring true satisfaction and only intensify internal sorrow.

Thus, the moral lesson of the book is that the pursuit of earthly success and the accumulation of knowledge do not lead to liberation, but rather to increased sadness and disappointment. The author, drawing from his own experience and thorough analysis, demonstrates that everything that happens in the world is subject to an unchanging cycle, and human existence lacks ultimate and meaningful fulfillment if it is confined solely to earthly affairs and values.