And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven. It is a great tribulation that God has given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten for me great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yea, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

I made for me great works. I built for me houses. I planted for me vineyards.

I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skillfulness, yet he shall leave it to a man who has not labored in it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

For to every purpose there is a time and decision, although the distress of man is great upon him.

I have also seen wisdom under the sun this way, and it seemed great to me:

There was a little city, and few men within it. And there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.

If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, leave not thy place, for deference allays great offences.

Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,