Charles Ellicott Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:3

"Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him." — Ecclesiastes 8:3 (ASV)

I believe the rendering of our version to be correct, though some have taken it as, Be not hasty: go out of his sight. The best commentary on this verse is Ecclesiastes 10:4, which gives the meaning: When censured by the king, do not abandon the hope of retaining his favour, nor obstinately persist in what he condemns. I do not find adequate proof of the assertion of some commentators, that go out of his sight can mean 'withdraw allegiance from him,' and consequently that the evil thing means a rebellious conspiracy. The advice, Be not hasty to rebel, instead of "do not rebel," is inconsistent with the context.