Ecclesiastes 2:16

For there shall be no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; because everything is already forgotten in the days which come. And how dieth the wise even as the fool?

Darby Translation

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

17And I hated life; for the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Exodus 1:8And there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

Psalms 49:10For he seeth that wise men die; all alike, the fool and the brutish perish, and they leave their wealth to others.

Psalms 103:16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof knoweth it no more.

Ecclesiastes 1:11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be remembrance of things that are to come with those who shall live afterwards.

Ecclesiastes 6:8For what advantage hath the wise above the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

Malachi 3:16Then they that feared Jehovah spoke often one to another; and Jehovah observed [it], and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon 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

Study Ecclesiastes 2:16