Ecclesiastes 2:16

That 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!

Literal Standard Version

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 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:

17And I have hated life, for sad to me [is] the work that has been done under the sun, for the whole [is] vanity and distress of spirit.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Exodus 1:8And there rises a new king over Egypt, who has not known Joseph,

Psalms 49:10For he sees wise men die, || Together the foolish and brutish perish, || And have left their wealth to others.

Psalms 103:16For a wind has passed over it, and it is not, || And its place does not discern it anymore.

Ecclesiastes 1:11There is not a remembrance of former [generations]; and also of the latter that are, there is no remembrance of them with those that are at the last.

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

Malachi 3:16Then have those fearing YHWH spoken to one another, || And YHWH attends and hears, || And a scroll of memorial is written before Him || Of those fearing YHWH, || And of those esteeming 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

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