Maudlin

One commentator calls the Book of Ecclesiastes a ‘jumble of maudlin reflections.’ 

Apparently, maudlin comes from middle English. 

It means ‘weeping,’ especially ‘when in a fuddled, half-drunk state.’ It takes it origins from the biblical name, Magdalene.

The point of the book, which begins, Vanity of Vanities?

Perhaps it is giving us permission to feel the way we feel at certain times and stages of our life?

Perhaps it is putting everything in perspective?

Vanity here means:

Mere breath of air, transient, insubstantial, worthless, gone before it arrives.

I rather like the book. It seems real to life.

Amen.