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.

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

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

For who can eat, or who else can hasten to it more than I?

Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.

Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city.

And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoever pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, hath now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.