There is no remembrance of earlier things;
And also of the later things which will occur,
There will be for them no remembrance
Among those who will come later still.

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 an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men—

which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these.

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.

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.

"While someone is among the living, hope remains," because "it is better to be a living dog than to be a dead lion."

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.

The words of the wise which come quietly to the ear are noted more than the cry of a ruler among the foolish.

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

Divide your merchandise among seven or even eight investments, for you do not know what calamity may happen on earth.