Matthew Henry Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:9-13

"All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: [there is] a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt. So I saw the wicked buried, and they came [to the grave]; and they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city: this also is vanity. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him: but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God." — Ecclesiastes 8:9-13 (ASV)

Solomon observed that often one man rules over another to his own harm, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners deceive themselves in this. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives for a good purpose: a wicked man's days are like a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.