I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.

For in much wisdom is much grief,And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.”

For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense,But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

Do not say,“Why were the former days better than these?”For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

Wisdom is good with an inheritance,And profitable to those who see the sun.

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.

When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night,