Every creature, even an irrational one, naturally inclines to delight in pleasue and comfort, and to desire them; so much the more man, by reason of his innate rational powers, aspires to the good and the comfortable. Indeed, his reason not only awakens the desire, but spurs him to seek and aspire to a thing more assiduously, the greater its proportion of the good, the pleasant, and the comfortable. Therefore, the question arose long ago among the wise wherein and what is the highest good (summum bonum) which could completely satisfy all human desires; that is, what could give a man such a complete satisfaction, that having obtained it, his mind could and must rest, for there would be nothing else he could desire.
Considering this matter carefully, we find that the problem has always been and is now engaging the attention not only of philosophers, who have been striving to solve it; but in addition, every man concerns himself with the problem where and how he may find complete happiness. We find, however, that almost all men seek it outside themselves, in the world and its possessions, imagining thus to pacify their minds: one in property and wealth, another in pleasure and indulgence, another in glory and honors, another in wisdom and learning, another among boon companions, and so forth. In short, all strive for things that are external, and seek in them their happiness.
But Solomon, the wisest of men, bears witness that satisfaction is not to be found in things, for after he had traveled through the world in search of rest for his own mind, he finally concluded: "I hated this life, because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me; for all is vanity, and vexation of spirit." When later he found true rest for his mind, he pronounced that it consisted in renouncing the world such as it is, and in having regard only for the Lord God, in fearing Him, and observing His commandments. For, he said, this is the whole duty of man. Similarly, David concluded that the happiest man is he who dismisses the world from his sight and mind, and cleaving to God alone, and having Him for his portion, dwells with Him in his heart.
Considering this matter carefully, we find that the problem has always been and is now engaging the attention not only of philosophers, who have been striving to solve it; but in addition, every man concerns himself with the problem where and how he may find complete happiness. We find, however, that almost all men seek it outside themselves, in the world and its possessions, imagining thus to pacify their minds: one in property and wealth, another in pleasure and indulgence, another in glory and honors, another in wisdom and learning, another among boon companions, and so forth. In short, all strive for things that are external, and seek in them their happiness.
But Solomon, the wisest of men, bears witness that satisfaction is not to be found in things, for after he had traveled through the world in search of rest for his own mind, he finally concluded: "I hated this life, because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me; for all is vanity, and vexation of spirit." When later he found true rest for his mind, he pronounced that it consisted in renouncing the world such as it is, and in having regard only for the Lord God, in fearing Him, and observing His commandments. For, he said, this is the whole duty of man. Similarly, David concluded that the happiest man is he who dismisses the world from his sight and mind, and cleaving to God alone, and having Him for his portion, dwells with Him in his heart.
