¹⁵ Then said I in my heart, "As it happens 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 has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?

¹² behold, I have done according to your word: behold, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there has been none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like you.

² "Vanity of vanities," says 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 chasing after wind.

¹⁶ I said to myself, "Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge."

¹⁸ For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

¹ I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you 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 memory for ever, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool!