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One-sentence summary: The sayings/proverbs of Solomon are written down.
There are echos of Job throughout these sayings:
A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death better than the day of one's birth.
It's better to go to the house of mourning that the house of feasting... the living will take it to heart.
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance, the heart is made better.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools... in the house of mirth.
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than... the song of fools.
The end of a thing is better than the beginning, and the patient of spirit is better than the proud... anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Don't ask why past days were better, because that is not wise.
Wisdom is a defense as money is a defense... wisdom gives life to those who have it.
God has appointed the day of prosperity and adversity.
Don't be overly righteous or wise and destroy yourself, or overly wicked or foolish and die before your time.
Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of a city.
Don't take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you, for you know that you, too, have done the same thing at times.
More bitter than death is the woman whose heart is a snare... The one who pleases God will escape from her, but the sinner will be trapped by her.
He says he can find one man among a thousand but not a woman (not sure the meaning of this.)
God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.
A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed.
Do not be hasty to go from the king's presence.
A wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment.
Because the sentence against evil does not come immediately, men's hearts are set on it.
It will be well with those who fear God, but not with the wicked.
The hearts of men are full of evil; madness is in their heart, and then they die.
There is hope while men are living.
Let your garments always be white and your head lack no oil.
Live joyfully with.... your wife, all the days of your vain life.
All your days are vanity, for that is your portion in life.... whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong... but time and chance happen to [us] all.
Wisdom is better than strength... wisdom is better than weapons of war.
A little folly in one respected for wisdom and honor is like a dead fly that corrupts a perfume and causes it to smell.
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whosever breaks into a wall will be bitten by a serpent.
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow him up... the end of his talk is raving madness. A fool also multiplies words.
Woe to the land when your king is a child.
Money answers everything.
Do not curse the king or the rich in your thoughts or bedroom, for a "little bird" may hear and tell them.
Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.
A tree will lie where it falls.
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
In the morning, sow your seed, and in the evening, do not withhold your hand, for you do not know which will prosper.
Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these, God will bring you into judgment. Therefore, remove sorrow from your heart and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come.
Remember your Creator before the silver chord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then, the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
All is vanity.
It says Solomon pondered and put in order many proverbs, and what he wrote was upright, words of truth.
At the end, he says: Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Thoughts/discussion questions:
Again, there is a lot of wisdom gained from experience here, but Solomon is also clearly jaded. I think it is wise to prayerfully consider these sayings before the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to make sense of them for us!