¹⁵ Then said I in my heart: As it comes to the foolish man, so will it come to me; so why have I been wise overmuch? Then I said in my heart: This again is to no purpose.

⁸ What have the wise more than the foolish? and what has the poor man by walking wisely before the living?

¹² I have done as you said: I have given you a wise and far-seeing heart, so that there has never been your equal in the past, and never will there be any like you in the future.

² All is to no purpose, said the Preacher, all the ways of man are to no purpose.

¹⁴ I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; all is to no purpose, and desire for wind.

¹⁶ I said to my heart, See, I have become great and am increased in wisdom more than any who were before me in Jerusalem--yes, my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.

¹⁸ Because in much wisdom is much grief, and increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow.

¹ I said in my heart, I will give you joy for a test; so take your pleasure--but it was to no purpose.

¹⁶ Of the wise man, as of the foolish man, there is no memory for ever, seeing that those who now are will have gone from memory in the days to come. See how death comes to the wise as to the foolish!