throughout the book that Qohelet did not consider himself a person so blessed by God (see commentary at 5:17–6:12 [English 5:18–6:12]). It is more in keeping with the book as a whole to understand these passages as they have been taken through much of the history of interpretation, that is, as a call to seize the day (carpe diem). In the darkness of a life that has no ultimate meaning, enjoy the temporal pleasures that lighten the burden (5:18–19 [English 5:19–20]).