Ecclesiastes 8:15-17

¹⁵ So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

¹⁶ When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night,

¹⁷ then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.

Some consider this (v.15) as the cavil of an infidel objector, equivalent to the Epicurean maxim “Eat, drink, and play there is no pleasure after death.” But it may be regarded as a recommendation of a moderate use of worldly things, with a cheerful and contended mind; which may justly be considered as the greatest advantage which can be made of all below the sun: and amidst all changes, such a frame of mind, if the result of right principles, may and ought to be preserved; and it will be the recompence and solace of all our labors and toils. — Treasury, page 426.

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If God, and eternity, and what is above the sun, have no existence, and if death is annihilation, then is the philosophy of verse 15 sound philosophy. But the argument and teaching of the book of Ecclesiastes is that it is folly; for God exists, and will bring every action into judgment. — Williams, page 446.

no sleep (v.16) — Solomon may have been unable to sleep as he tried to figure out the work of God.

“Business” (v.16) means the activities of life. They are so unceasing that they are here compared to a sleepless man. “Work” (v.17) is a term expressing the whole philosophy of life. However hard an ordinary man may try to discover its nature and laws he is incapable of succeeding; and though a “wise man,” i.e., an able scientist, may “think” to discover them yet it is beyond his power also. — Williams, page 446.

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Solomon admitted that even after he (the wisest man there was) diligently applied himself, he was unable to comprehend the providential work of God (Romans 11:33). — Grace.