According to the Australin Government Health and Welfare website: “Social isolation and loneliness can harm both mental and physical health and may affect life satisfaction. They are concerning issues in Australia and globally due to the impact they have on peoples’ lives and wellbeing.
Social isolation has been linked to mental illness, emotional distress, suicide, the development of dementia, premature death and poor health behaviours (smoking, physical inactivity and poor sleep) – as well as biological effects, including high blood pressure and impaired immune function … Social isolation is also associated with psychological distress … and sustained decreases in feelings of wellbeing … Conversely, more frequent social contact is [generally] associated with better overall health …”
Social isolation and loneliness – Mental health – AIHW
Well, Qoheleth already knew that a few thousand years ago! His words maybe different but his meaning is similar. Listen to his words:
7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
It seems that the answer to the issues mentioned above on the website can have a relatively simple answer and that is “partnership pays.” (# 61) Or as Qoheleth puts it: Two are better than one … A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
C Wright comments that, “Some of my African friends could add one of their familiar proverbs to [Qoheleth’s] list in verses 9-12: “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.” (# 60)
But it is important to note that these exhortations to friendship, cooperation and community as an answer to social isolation and loneliness are in the context of work. He begins this section as follows:
4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind…
Followed by the illustration of:
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!
“Qoheleth observes another kind of worker—workaholics who end up utterly lonely because they are so absorbed and obsessed in their work that they never even pause to ask some pretty important questions…
Such a life is indeed meaningless and miserable. Of course, the person himself or herself can look very busy and very successful. They may be admired for their dedication and hard work, even held up as a role model for the young. Look how rich you can get when you put in the hours! But if there is never any contentment with all the wealth that is gained by relentlessly obsessive work, what good is it? All that is left is just this driving compulsion to keep making more money. And the cost can be increasing isolation from all the relationships that make life worthwhile. You can end up as a very rich, very lonely, and very sad tycoon.” (# 60)
Although not wanting to suggest that laziness is a good alternative with the words:
5 Fools fold their hands
and ruin themselves.
Qoheleth does conclude that:
6 Better one handful with tranquillity
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind.
“So then, although work is a good thing (Qoheleth will say it again and again), it is a very ambiguous good in this fallen world. By itself it can be soul-destroying in competitive and obsessive behaviors, and in the end it doesn’t and can’t provide the ultimate meaning for our lives. Indeed, when we think that it can, we turn work into an idol. A good thing becomes a god-thing, a false god. That way lies disaster.” (# 60)
Sadly, even though “work is a good thing” it is not only obsession with our work that can cause disastrous relationships and lack of meaning and satisfaction in life, there are a number of other “soul-destroying” obsessions that (although maybe not bad in themselves originally) can do this, such as desire for power, money, fame, popularity, exciting experiences or selfish, mindless activities to fulfil sensual or other objectives without considering the consequences on or needs of others around you.
These are the times we need others around us for accountability and to bring a balance in our thinking and activities. This is when Two are better than one!
And this other phrase – A cord of three strands is not quickly broken – may suggest that even more important than having alongside us a human friend, the third Person we need in our lives is God. The God who loves us, sent His Son to die for us, and desires that we call out to Him daily for His help and strength.
As Jesus says:
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Worship and Wisdom - Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. 