There is no memory of those who have gone before, and of those who come after there will be no memory for those who are still to come after them.

I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.

And I went again in search of wisdom and of foolish ways. What may the man do who comes after the king? The thing which he has done before.

Hate had I for all my work which I had done, because the man who comes after me will have its fruits.

So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work--because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?

Who is able to say what is good for man in life all the days of his foolish life which he goes through like a shade? who will say what is to be after him under the sun?

In the day of wealth have joy, but in the day of evil take thought: God has put the one against the other, so that man may not be certain what will be after him.

Look! this I have seen, said the Preacher, taking one thing after another to get the true account,

This is evil in all things which are done under the sun: that there is one fate for all, and the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; while they have life their hearts are foolish, and after that--to the dead.

The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him?

Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.

While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not dark, and the clouds come not back after the rain;