Eccl 3:22

“"I therefore observed that there is nothing better for man than to be happy in what he is doing, for that is his lot. For who can enable him to see what will be after him? " Instead of that which we have as "to see what will be after him", Symmachus interprets it more clearly saying, "so that he sees those things which will be after these ones". Therefore nothing is good in life, unless a man is happy in his work, doing acts of sympathy, and obtaining his future reward in the realm of heaven. We have this one lot, which nor neither thief nor robber values, nor any tyrant has the power to take away, and which follows us after our death. And we will not be able to enjoy our toil again when this life will be over, or know what things will be afterwards in the world. Another explanation of this is: I am disturbed by the wickedness of what I have said above, that I think there is no difference between men and beasts, and I have been led into this opinion by wrong conclusions, so that I said nothing else was good, except grasping ones present desire. Nor when death has destroyed us is it possible to enjoy these things, which we, ungrateful, leave behind. Some have referred to that understanding because it says, "for who leads him, so that he sees those things, which will be after him", so that they say, "it is better for a man to enjoy his work" because it is only this that he is able to take away with him from his possessions. For when death comes he will not know what kind of heir he will die with, whether worthy or unworthy, who will enjoy his wealth.”

“And I perceived etc. In the fourth place, on account of this likening, he subjoins how he fell into an erroneous commendation of pleasure, as if nothing were better than it. On account of which he says: I perceived that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, that is, to take delight in present things, as the carnal do, of whom Isaiah fifty-six says: "Come, let us take wine and be filled with drunkenness, and it shall be as today, so also tomorrow and much more." And this commendation is erroneous, because it posits no other recompense nor any other life: whence he adds: And that this is his portion, as if he should expect nothing else: whence in Isaiah twenty-two it is said in the person of such people: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die"; and Wisdom two: "Everywhere let us leave signs of joy, for this is our portion, and this is our lot." And this erroneous opinion has its origin from the uncertainty of judgment: on account of which he says: For who shall bring him to know the things that shall be after him? that is, who will show him that there are any future goods which he ought to expect? as if to say: no one. And certainly no one will persuade him, unless he be raised to the contemplation of spiritual things: "while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal," Second Corinthians four. But because the carnal man regards only visible things, therefore he does not expect eternal things: therefore First Corinthians two: "The natural man does not perceive the things that are of God." Therefore if he wishes to know future goods, it is necessary to put off carnality.”