The thing that is past, is out of remembrance; Even so the things that are for to come, shall no more be thought upon among them that come after.

So I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, to apply my mind unto wisdom, and to comprehend foolishness until the time that among all the things which are under the Sun, I might see what were best for men to do, so long as they live under heaven.

Then turned I me to consider wisdom, error and foolishness: for what is he among men, that might be compared to me the king in such work?

There is yet a plague under the Sun, and it is a general thing among men:

Among a thousand men I have found one, but not one woman among all.

Among all things that come to pass under the Sun, this is a mystery, that it happeneth unto all alike. This is the cause also that the hearts of men are full of wickedness, and mad foolishness is in their hearts, as long as they live, until they die.

Whatsoever thou takest in hand to do, that do with all thy power: for among the dead, where thou goest unto, there is neither work, counsel, knowledge nor wisdom.

A wise man's counsel that is followed in silence, is far above the crying of a captain among fools.

Another plague is there, which I have seen under the sun; namely, the ignorance that is commonly among princes: