That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us.

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.

For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool!

That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.

Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

yea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.

This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.