I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I have come to great estate, and have gained more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: and my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

I made me great works; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards:

I procured me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

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

For there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not labored in it, shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.

Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

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

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 riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses.

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

Or ever the silver cord shall be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.