Ecclesiastes 1:17

So I applied my heart to know wisdom and also madness and folly. I came to understand that this also was an attempt to shepherd the wind.

Unlocked Literal Bible

In The King James Version

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

In Context

16I have spoken to my heart saying, “Look, I have acquired greater wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My mind has seen great wisdom and knowledge.”

18For in the abundance of wisdom there is much frustration, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 1

Cross References

Psalms 73:16Though I tried to understand these things, 1 it was too difficult for me. 1

Ecclesiastes 2:3I explored in my heart how to gratify my desires with wine. I let my mind guide me with wisdom although I was still holding on to folly. I wanted to find out what is good for people to do under heaven during the days of their lives.

Ecclesiastes 2:11Then I looked on all the deeds that my hands had accomplished, 2 and on the work that I had done, 1 but again, everything was vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind. 2 There was no profit under the sun in it. 1

Ecclesiastes 3:19For the fate of the children of mankind and the fate of animals is the same fate for them. The death of one is like the death of the other. The breath is the same for all of them. There is no advantage for mankind over the animals. For is not everything just a breath?

Ecclesiastes 6:9It is better to be satisfied with what the eyes see 2 than to desire what a wandering appetite craves, 1 which is also vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind. 1

Ecclesiastes 7:25I turned my heart to learn and examine 2 and seek wisdom and the explanations of reality, 1 and to understand that evil is stupid 2 and that folly is madness. 1

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 1:13-18

Vanity of Human Wisdom. 12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 1:17