Last week in my course at Brown, “How the Bible Became Holy,” students read the book of Ecclesiastes and portions of Sirach. At the beginning of class I tried a new warm-up exercise, in groups: Imagine that you are the publicist team for Ecclesiastes (today or in antiquity). Write a blurb that would sell the book without misrepresenting it.
Here are some of their blurbs:
For Ancient Readers:
The Many Habits of Highly Righteous Individuals. Want to be a highly respected person? Want to serve G-d in the best way possible? Pick up Ecclesiastes and learn all the morals you need in 12 easy chapters. G-d will smile down upon you.
How are you spending your days? Is there meaning to this life? How should you be serving yourself and others in the eyes of God? The book of Ecclesiastes will answer all of your questions! Read this book and learn from the experiences of others that came before you.
For Modern Readers:
How the Ancients Did It. Frustrated with the day to day grind. Worried that you are not living life to its fullest potential? Pick up the book of Ecclesiastes and find out how the wise people of ancient times lived their best life. Forget minimalism. Dwelling in the past is the only way to improve the world.
Ecclesiastes: A hard but necessary look at the realities of living a truly pious life. Enjoy what you can, when you can – before it all ends.
Do you want to know the secrets to happiness? Do you want to truly live every day as if it’s your last? Read the book of Ecclesiastes! It has all of this and more. Listen to the wisdom of your ancestors and spend your days with food and delight.
Ecclesiastes serves as a succinct account of ancient wisdom that functions as a “self-help” book for a modern reader. Investigate an account from antiquity that shines light on how to turn your life around and live life to the fullest that remains applicable and fundamental to success in today’s world.
Learn from the unparalleled wisdom of ancient King Solomon. Find success, happiness, and God’s favor through the teachings of the book of Ecclesiastes.
Do you want learn all the wisdom concerning everything done under heaven? Do you want to lead a meaningful life? Ecclesiastes will help you live your life to your potential. Learn the steps to lead a pious life.
Want to learn how to improve your life and your understanding of the world? Read Ecclesiastes and in just 12 short chapters, gain a lifetime’s worth of self-help knowledge that will teach you everything you could ever want to know about God, the world, wisdom, and good. Becoming a better person has never been so easy!