Ecclesiastes 2:3
I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind to wisdom, and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for the children of men: and what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their life.
Douay-Rheims 1899
In The King James Version
In Context
2Laughter I counted error: and to mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?
4I made me great works, I built me houses, and planted vineyards,
Cross References
Genesis 47:9He answered: The days of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years, few, and evil, and they are not come up to the days of the pilgrimage of my fathers.
Job 14:14Shall man that is dead, thinkest thou, live again? all the days in which I am now in warfare, I expect until my change come.
Proverbs 20:1Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
Proverbs 31:4Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
Ecclesiastes 2:24Is it not better to eat and drink, and to shew his soul good things of his labours? and this is from the hand of God.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:2-12
Vanity of Worldly Pleasure. 1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me… Read the whole commentary →