[1][2] The book contains philosophical speeches by a character called '(the) Qoheleth' ("the Teacher"), composed probably between the 5th and 2nd centuries BCE.

[4] This chapter focuses on foolishness in persons, in high places, in action, in words and even in national life.

[3] This section speaks of foolishness in the invisible side of one's life, contrasted to face (cf.

[9][10] Folly can be found within the leadership of a nation (verse 5) and results in odd reversals of position and prestige,[5] in a society which Stuart Weeks describes as "topsy-turvy".

[10] For "calmness", the New King James Version notes that "healing" or "health" translate the Hebrew more literally.

[10] Michael Eaton summarises this section as "vindictiveness has its built-in penalties", and "slackness may nullify inherent skill".