Ecclesiastes 2:16

For 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.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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 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.

17And therefore I was weary of my life, when I saw that all things under the sun are evil, and all vanity and vexation of spirit.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Exodus 1:8In the mean time there arose a new king over Egypt, that knew not Joseph:

Psalms 49:10and shall still live unto the end.

Psalms 103:16For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no more.

Ecclesiastes 1:11There is no remembrance of former things: nor indeed of those things which hereafter are to come, shall there be any remembrance with them that shall be in the latter end.

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

Malachi 3:16Then they that feared the Lord spoke every one with his neighbour: and the Lord gave ear, and heard it: and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that fear the Lord, and think on 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