Ecclesiastes 8:5

Commandment See on v. 2. The term here is the one usually used of God’s commandments, whereas in v. 2 it is from the Hebrew word for “mouth” (see on v. 2).

Feel no evil thing. Literally, “not shall know [that is, experience any] evil thing.” Intelligent submission to the law of the land, and the law of God, is requisite to peace and security, both here and hereafter (see GC 584, 585).

Time and judgment. The wise man’s “heart,” that is, his mind, discerns the right time to speak and the right time to remain silent. The wise man knows and follows right methods and correct procedures. He recognizes opportunities and seizes upon them as they arise.