Ecclesiastes 2:4-15

⁴I enlarged my work; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards.

⁵I made me gardens and orchards, and planted in them every kind of fruit-tree.

⁶I made me pools of water, to water from them the timber-bearing wood.

⁷I got servants and maidens, and servants were born to me in the house: also I had abundant possession of flocks and herds, beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.

⁸Moreover I collected for myself both silver and gold also, and the peculiar treasures of kings and provinces: I procured me singing men and singing women, and delights of the sons of men, a butler and female cupbearers.

⁹So I became great, and advanced beyond all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom was established to me.

¹⁰And whatever mine eyes desired, I withheld not from them, I withheld not my heart from all my mirth: for my heart rejoiced in all my labour; and this was my portion of all my labour.

¹¹And I looked on all my works which my hands had wrought, and on my labour which I laboured to perform: and, behold, all was vanity and waywardness of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun.

¹²Then I looked on to see wisdom, and madness, and folly: for who is the man who will follow after counsel, in all things wherein he employs it?

¹³And I saw that wisdom excels folly, as much as light excels darkness.

¹⁴The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walks in darkness: and I perceived, even I, that one event shall happen to them all.

¹⁵And I said in my heart, As the event of the fool is, so shall it be to me, even to me; and to what purpose have I gained wisdom? I said moreover in my heart, This is also vanity, because the fool speaks of his abundance.