Nothing New Under the Sun

In chapter 16, Bullet is sharing a meal with his friend Patrice. When Bullet admits his ignorance of history, the older Patrice laments “the American education” to which Bullet responds, “I wasn’t even alive then. How am I supposed to know?” Patrice answers, “It is history, history and common sense. Perhaps you might not know history, but you should expect of yourself common sense. What does the Bible say? There is nothing new under the sun.” King Solomon states, “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (ECCLESIASTES 1:9).