Is there any thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time, which was before us.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will test you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What use is it?

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

I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time for every purpose and for every work.

I said in my heart concerning the condition of the sons of men, that God might reveal them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there are just men, unto whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men, to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.