Vanity of Vanities

Ecclesiastes 1:2

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”

“Man by nature sets his heart upon what is vain and worthless — that which is not suited to, or required by, his immortal nature. Vanity represents that which is light, changeable, and of brief duration. Man displays his love of vanity . . . 
  by preferring human friendship — to God's friendship, 
  by thinking much more of the creature — than the Creator; 
  by preferring earthly riches — to heavenly felicities; 
  by preferring carnal pleasures — to spiritual delights!
Nor only so — but he manifests his foolishness by indulging in sin — the worst of vanities!” ~James Smith

“Earthly things are golden dreams, which leave the 
soul empty when it awakens and comes to itself. 
All the sweet waters of pleasure cannot quench the 
soul's insatiable thirst; nor can the most ravishing 
music fill the clamors of conscience. Satan casts a 
mist before men's eyes and deceives them—making 
them set real affections upon false delights. The 
Scripture deciphers the world, to be a non-entity, 
'Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.' Proverbs 23:5" ~Thomas Watson
 

“We are empty vessels in ourselves--but we cannot remain empty. Unless Jesus dwells in our hearts, and fills them with His power and presence--they will be filled with folly, vanity, and vexation!” ~John Newton 

“Nothing on earth can satisfy the soul! 
It leaves its pleasures, with a craving for more. 
It sighs to increase its satisfactions. 
It grieves to think how limited are all its joys.”~George Mylne 

“My soul, why seek your happiness below — here in this fallen world, where 'all is vanity'? Oft have you tried it, anxious still to find some earthly good. As often you have found Solomon right, that 'all is vanity.'" ~George Mylne

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