¹⁵ Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.

⁸ For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? `or' what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?

¹² behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

² Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.

¹⁴ I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

¹⁶ I communed with mine own hear, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

¹⁸ For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

¹ I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity.

¹⁶ For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool!