Ecclesiastes 2:15

And I said in my heart: If the death of the fool and mine shall be one, what doth it avail me, that I have applied myself more to the study of wisdom? And speaking with my own mind, I perceived that this also was vanity.

Douay-Rheims 1899

In The King James Version

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

In Context

14The eyes of a wise man are in his head: the fool walketh in darkness: and I learned that they were to die both alike.

16For there shall be no remembrance of the wise no more than of the fool for ever, and the times to come shall cover all things together with oblivion: the learned dieth in like manner as the unlearned.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

1 Kings 3:12Behold I have done for thee according to thy words, and have given thee a wise and understanding heart, insomuch that there hath been no one like thee before thee, nor shall arise after thee.

Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all things that are done under the sun, and behold all is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 1:18Because In much wisdom there is much indignation: and he that addeth knowledge, addeth also labour.

Ecclesiastes 6:8What hath the wise man more than the fool? and what the poor man, but to go thither, where there is life?

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 2:15