(1) 15.2. It is seen how throughout the work one phrase contradicts another, and certainly, since no author with a minimum of wisdom contradicts himself so clearly and expressly, who doubts that this fault cannot be applied to the one whom God made wiser than all men? And although all these sentences can indeed be distinguished and reconciled, as I have done expressly and precisely in the third part of my Conciliator (1662), it is true that whoever will consider that book well, will see how the sage introduces there an Epicurean speaking, or at least proposing their sentence that he later clearly refutes. This is stated in what the atheists claim, because there is no doubt that the text speaks of the wicked and depraved, so the text says, without altering anything:
אמרתי אני בלבי על־דברת בני האדם
I said in my heart about the speaking of the sons of man (Ecclesiastes 3:18)
(2) Solomon explains drastically saying, I said in my heart about the reason and opinion of the sons of man, that even if God had chosen men from all terrestrial creatures, I see that they become animals, and imagine themselves as such, since the same happens to men and animals: as one dies, so does the other die, and the spirit is one for all, and there is no advantage of man over the animal because everything is vanity; everything goes to the same place and everything is dust and everything returns to dust. Who is it then that knows the distinction between the spirit of man which certainly rises, and the spirit of the animal that descends to the earth? Therefore, I see that according to what they say, there is no better thing for a man than to rejoice in his works and give himself a good life, this would be his part, for who will bring him to see and think about what will be after him?
(3) This, then, is the cause that turns in my head and I see the violence that takes place under the sun, I see the tears of the abused without anyone to comfort them, nor do they have strength against their abusers...
(4) So here in these words, Solomon refers to the depraved judgment of some people who, after being made in the image of God, imagine themselves to be beasts. Likewise, he declares, there are not many who know the distinction between one spirit and another. And to make such an opinion true, there is nothing better than leading a good life, without worrying about what will happen next. And since this is the cause of all the violence and evils that exist in the world, once this is finished, the wise man utters his opinion, and continues,
ושבח אני את־המתים שכבר מתו מן־החיים אשר המה חיים עדנה וטוב משניהם את אשר־עדן לא היה אשר לא־ראה את־המעשה הרע אשר נעשה תחת השמש
And I realized that the dead who had already died are more than the living who are still alive,
And above them, was the one who did not yet come into being, who did not see the evil deed which was done under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 4:2-3)
(10) The next four verses (Ecclesiastes (9:7-10) contain their depraved customs, and as with this opinion, they gradually allow themselves to be carried away by all vices, so beginning with gluttony, the Epicureans and atheists say, Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine in good heart; do not worry about anything because God has wanted your works. This verse is followed by clothing and caring for the gift of the body, may your clothes always be white, and never lack perfume on your head. Then they allow themselves to go after lust, enjoy life with the woman you love all days of your time; live at your pleasure and joy. Finally, it says, whatever it is in your reach to do, do it with all your power. For there is no action, no reasoning, no learning, no wisdom in the grave, where you are going, and since no one has to ask you to give account for your actions, follow what your appetite will teach you. This is the doctrine of the Epicureans and atheists, and these are the acts to which they are led. This is continued with two other verses containing the reason that they use to prove their nefarious opinion, I reiterated and saw under the sun that the race is not won by the speedy, nor the battle by the strong, nor the bread by the wise, nor wealth by the intelligent, nor grace by the learned.
(11) They all live the same event, and the worst of all is that suddenly without knowing their time, meaning the time of their death people are imprisoned like simple birds in the noose and fish in the net and with hooks. Well, how could anyone who sees this be persuaded that there is an account and judgment here? Or that there is something immortal in man? This is the sentence that atheists and Epicureans usually give as proof, as they proposed them.