Ecclesiastes 2:16

For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, just as with the fool, seeing that both will be forgotten in the days to come. Alas, the wise man will die just like the fool!

Majority Standard Bible

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

15So I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?” And I said to myself that this too is futile.

17So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Exodus 1:8Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt.

Psalms 49:10For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others.

Psalms 103:16when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.

Ecclesiastes 1:11There is no remembrance of those who came before, and those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow after.

Ecclesiastes 6:8What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What gain comes to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others?

Malachi 3:16At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored 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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