Ecclesiastes 6 in the early church

19 passages quote, allude to, or echo Ecclesiastes 6, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 11

Ecclesiastes 6:1

There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind:
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:1	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century

Ecclesiastes 6:2

God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:2	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century
Eccl 6:2	Apostolic Constitutions 4.4.2 · Anonymous	allusion, low confidence	ca. 380
Eccl 6:2	Apostolic Constitutions 4.4.4 · Anonymous	quotation, high confidence	ca. 380

Ecclesiastes 6:3

A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:3	Homilies on Numbers 7.3 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Eccl 6:3	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century
Eccl 6:3	Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 37 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Eccl 6:3	On the Complaints of Job and David 2.15 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 383-390

Ecclesiastes 6:4

For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:4	Homilies on Numbers 7.3 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Eccl 6:4	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century
Eccl 6:4	Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 37 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)

Ecclesiastes 6:5

The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than that man,
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:5	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century
Eccl 6:5	On the Complaints of Job and David 2.15 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 383-390

Ecclesiastes 6:6

even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:6	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century
Eccl 6:6	On the Complaints of Job and David 2.15 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 383-390

Ecclesiastes 6:7

All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:7	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century

Ecclesiastes 6:9

Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:9	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century

Ecclesiastes 6:10

Whatever exists was named long ago, and it is known what man is; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:10	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century

Ecclesiastes 6:11

For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Eccl 6:11	Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus	allusion, high confidence	3rd century