Ecclesiastes 2:15

and I said in my heart, “As it happens with the fool, it happens also with me, and why am I then more wise?” And I spoke in my heart, that also this [is] vanity:

Literal Standard Version

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 wise—his eyes [are] in his head, and the fool is walking in darkness, and I also knew that one event happens with them all;

16That there is no remembrance to the wise—with the fool—for all time, for that which [is] already, [in] the days that are coming is all forgotten, and how dies the wise? With the fool!

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

1 Kings 3:12behold, I have done according to your words; behold, I have given a wise and understanding heart to you, that there has not been [one] like you before you, and after you there does not arise [one] like you;

Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the works that have been done under the sun, and behold, the whole [is] vanity and distress of spirit!

Ecclesiastes 1:18for in abundance of wisdom [is] abundance of sadness, and he who adds knowledge adds pain.”

Ecclesiastes 6:8For what advantage [is] to the wise above the fool? What to the poor who knows to walk before the living?

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