← Book VI: Commentarii in Sacram Scripturam I
Commentarius in Ecclesiasten
Capitula
Prooemium
Capitulum I
Questions
- On the title
- There follows the treatise of this book
- Secondly the vanity of the mutability of things is considered according to the being which they have in the human understanding
- The curiosity of philosophy is described, first as to the consideration of natural things
- The curiosity of philosophy is described, secondly as to the consideration of moral things
Capitulum II
Questions
Capitulum III
Questions
- The variety and mutability of things in time is proposed and proved in general
- The same is proved in particular as to rise and setting, as to state, use and manner of conversation
- The uselessness of curiosity is intimated, and present pleasure is commended
- On the vanity of malice, first in rulers, described in a fourfold order
Capitulum IV
Capitulum V
Capitulum VI
Capitulum VII
Questions
- Here he calls us back, thirdly, from searching into lofty things
- Secondly are set forth the teachings of wisdom, through which a remedy is applied against the vanity of folly
- Secondly, four teachings for having constancy
- Thirdly, four teachings for having prudence
- Fourthly, four teachings for having justice
- On the first occasion of sin, which is proneness to sin through concupiscence, it is treated in two ways
Capitulum VIII
Questions
- Secondly, against the concupiscence that has been found the remedy of wisdom is given from a fourfold consideration
- On the second occasion of sin, which is the vanity of security, it is treated in two ways
- Secondly, on the adversity of the good
- Thirdly, on the indistinction of the good and the evil, which is treated in two ways
Capitulum IX
Questions
- Here the second is touched upon, namely the uncertainty of discernment
- Secondly it is shown how pleasure is born from it
- Secondly, security arises from the appearance of a failure in the government of providence; which appearance is shown in two ways
- Secondly, the failure of order in the government of providence is shown in particular, and this in three ways
Capitulum X
Questions
- Therefore he adds: dying flies, that is, the thoughts of sins succeeding one another and inclining to mortal sin, spoil the sweetness of the ointment
- Above was set forth the despising of the wise man and, on the other hand, his just commendation; here is added, thirdly, the promotion of fools
- Secondly a remedy is given against the vanity of security
- Secondly, as regards the defect of government, when a foolish prelate is set over others