Ecclesiastes 2:15 “So I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will also befall me. What t…”

Ecclesiastes 2:15

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

Then I thought in mine heart, It befalleth vnto me, as it befalleth to ye foole. Why therefore doe I then labour to be more wise? And I sayd in mine heart, that this also is vanitie.

Darby Translation

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

Young's Literal Translation

and I said in my heart, 'As it happeneth with the fool, it happeneth also with me, and why am I then more wise?' And I spake in my heart, that also this [is] vanity:

Bible in Basic English

Then said I in my heart: As it comes to the foolish man, so will it come to me; so why have I been wise overmuch? Then I said in my heart: This again is to no purpose.

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Cross references

“and why”

Ecclesiastes 1:16 1 Kings 3:12 Ecclesiastes 1:18

Ecclesiastes 1:16 · BSB

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.”

1 Kings 3:12 · BSB

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 1:18 · BSB

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.

“Then I”

Ecclesiastes 1:14 Ecclesiastes 1:2 Ecclesiastes 2:1

Ecclesiastes 1:14 · BSB

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.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 · BSB

“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”

Ecclesiastes 2:1 · BSB

I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!” But it proved to be futile.

Also

Ecclesiastes 6:8 Ecclesiastes 2:16

Ecclesiastes 6:8 · BSB

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 2:16 · BSB

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!

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

14The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

16For 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!

Read Ecclesiastes 2