Ecclesiastes
12 people recommended it in 8 threads, 2010–2022.
What people on Hacker News said
Below helped me to work hard, enjoy what I have, and not be concerned about what others have.
It puts this world and it’s fleeting pleasures in perspective.
Read Ecclesiastes. Don't spend your life chasing after the wind -- you can't take it with you.
It's fascinating and heartening in a way to realize that someone thousands of years ago was struggling with the essential questions of our existence.
Since you probably do not want to read the entire thing I am particularly a fan of Ecclesiastes, and maybe you could try some of the gospels if you still have steam after that.
But if it's wisdom, you can read it in an hour and spend a life-time understanding and applying it. Read Solomon's Proverbs (http://bit.ly/aJpmva) and Ecclesiastes.
Short book of wisdom so jam-packed with truth I challenge anyone to read it and disagree with the message it shares.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before? 2020 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: What book changed your life? 2022 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books? 2010 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books or essays written at least 100 years ago? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are the books that changed the perspective of your life? 2015 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books? I'm bored 2014 · 1 recommendation