קהלת, פרק ח׳, פסוק ז׳

Human beings constantly struggle with the unknown. The inability to see what lies ahead creates significant challenges in both the moral and practical areas of life.

From a moral standpoint, the root of wrongdoing often lies in a person's tendency to ignore the future consequences of their actions. When committing an offense, a person usually fails to consider the ultimate judgment that God will eventually bring upon them [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This blindness extends to the entire spiritual system of reward and punishment, which remains completely hidden from human awareness [תעלומות חכמה]. Because of this lack of foresight, when the time of hardship finally arrives, it strikes without warning. No one is there to alert the wrongdoer beforehand, leaving them completely caught off guard with no one to turn to for advice or a way to defend themselves [רש״י, צאינה וראינה].

Beyond morality, this limitation of the human mind affects everyday understanding. At the beginning of any process or thought, it is impossible to know exactly how it will end. While a person might be able to make a general guess about the future based on past experiences, no one can predict the precise details of how events will actually unfold in reality [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. The only way to navigate this inherent lack of knowledge is through deep reflection and careful study. By dedicating time to thoroughly examine a situation, a person can better anticipate the final outcome and guide their actions in the right direction [מצודת דוד].