Ecclesiastes 2:13

And I saw, that wisdom went so much before folly, as much as light is diverse from darknesses.

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

In Context

12I passed forth to behold wisdom, and errors, and folly; I said, What is a man, that he may follow the king, his maker? (or I said, What new thing can even he who followeth the king do?)

14The eyes of a wise man be in his head, (and) a fool goeth in darknesses; and I learned, that one perishing was of ever either. (The eyes of a wise person be in his head, and a fool goeth in the darkness; but I learned, that the same perishing, or the same death, would come to both of them.)

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Psalms 119:105[Nun.] Thy word is a lantern to my feet; and (a) light to my paths.

Proverbs 4:5Wield thou wisdom, wield thou prudence; forget thou not, neither bow thou away from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 14:8The wisdom of a fell man is to understand his way; and the unwariness of fools erreth. (The wisdom of a clever person is to understand his own way; but the carelessness of fools maketh them to err.)

Ecclesiastes 7:11Forsooth wisdom with riches is more profitable, and profiteth more to men seeing the sun. (For wisdom is more profitable than riches, and profiteth all who see the sun.)

Ecclesiastes 9:16And I said, that wisdom is better than strength; how therefore is the wisdom of a poor man despised, and his words be not heard? (And I have always said, that wisdom is better than strength; and so why is the wisdom of a poor man despised, and his words not listened to?)

Ecclesiastes 11:7The light is sweet, and delightable to the eyes to see the sun. (The light is sweet, and it is delightful, or pleasant, for thine eyes to see the sun.)

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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