Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 - Qohelet Introduces His Quest
12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this severe burden has God given to the sons of man to be afflicted with. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and like grasping the wind.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is lacking cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I have come to greatness, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I set my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is like grasping the wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.