or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.
Solomon had shown the vanity of pleasure, gaiety, and fine works, of honour, power, and royal dignity; and there is many a covetous worldling that will agree with him, and speak as slightly as he does of these things; but money, he thinks, is a substantial thing, and if he can but have enough of that he is happy.
Commenting on Ecclesiastes 5:9-17
But those riches perish by evil travail,.... Or, "by an evil business or affair" (n). That is, such riches as are not well got, or are not used as they should be, these waste away and come to nothing; either by the owner's bad management, and misconduct in trade and business; or by fire, tempest, thieves, and robbers, and many other ways and means: these...
But those riches perish by evil labour: and he begetteth a son, and [there is] nothing in his hand. (l) He does not enjoy his father's riches.