I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.[Ecclesiastes 1:12-15]

What did he mean by “vexation of spirit”? It refers to the aimlessness and futility of human activity, for one can never lay hold of real satisfaction. It vexed him to see many that had wisdom not use it, and many that had folly not strive against it. The minds and manners of men are crooked and perverse. Solomon thought with his wisdom and power together thoroughly to reform his kingdom, but he was disappointed. He found no lasting satisfaction, for the world was still full of problems that could not be solved. All the philosophy and politics in the world will not restore the corrupt nature of man. Human wisdom will never be able to change the course of things, since all things are ordained and cannot be different from what they are.

Book of Ecclesiastes
Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty