Ecclesiastes 2:15

Translations

Modern

So 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.

Traditional

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

Literal

And I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, it will also happen to me. Then what is profit to me in being wise?” And I said in my heart, “This also is vapor.”

Latin

Et dixi in corde meo: Si unus et stulti et meus occasus erit, quid mihi prodest quod majorem sapientiæ dedi operam? Locutusque cum mente mea, animadverti quod hoc quoque esset vanitas.

Original

Hebrew

English

So 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.

Notes

Ecclesiastes 2:15–16

The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?: Since the lives of both are short, the conclusion is that everything is meaningless.
both will be forgotten: Future generations will not remember us or our achievements, so our efforts will amount to nothing (compare Ecclesiastes 1:11; 9:13–16).

Ecclesiastes 2:12–23

The Teacher now examines the value of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 2:12–17) and hard work (2:18–23). These, too, are futile (Ecclesiastes 2:17).

Ecclesiastes 1:12–2:26

The Teacher examines how wisdom, work, and pleasure relate to each other.

Theme notes and profiles

Wisdom

Related verses

Ecclesiastes 6:8
What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What gain comes to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others?
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
1 Kings 3:12
…behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.
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!
Ecclesiastes 1:16
I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”
Ecclesiastes 1:18–2:1
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.
Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”

Glossary

Book of Ecclesiastes Futility

Topics

Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Man: Mortal Vanity: Worldly Wisdom Is Wisdom: Worldly

Ecclesiastes 2:15

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