Ecclesiastes 2:16

For there will not be a remembrance in perpetuity of the wise, nor of the foolish. And the future times will cover everything together, with oblivion. The learned die in a manner similar to the unlearned.

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

In Context

15And I said in my heart: “If the death of both the foolish and myself will be one, how does it benefit me, if I have given myself more thoroughly to the work of wisdom?” And as I was speaking within my own mind, I perceived that this, too, is emptiness.

17And, because of this, my life wearied me, since I saw that everything under the sun is evil, and everything is empty and an affliction of the spirit.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Exodus 1:8Meanwhile, there arose a new king over Egypt, who was ignorant of Joseph.

Psalms 49:10For all the wild beasts of the forest are mine: the cattle on the hills and the oxen.

Psalms 103:16The trees of the field will be saturated, along with the cedars of Lebanon, which he planted.

Ecclesiastes 1:11There is no remembrance of the former things. Indeed, neither shall there be any record of past things in the future, for those who will exist at the very end.

Ecclesiastes 6:8What do the wise have which is more than the foolish? And what does the pauper have, except to continue on to that place, where there is life?

Malachi 3:16Then those who fear the Lord spoke, each one with his neighbor. And the Lord paid attention and heeded. And a book of remembrance was written in his sight, for those who fear the Lord and for those who consider his name.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:13-17

Superiority of Wisdom to Folly. 12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

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