Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
THE SURROUNDING PASSAGE
Ecclesiastes 2:11 in context
Ecclesiastes 2:8–14
8
I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men: musical instruments of all sorts.
9
So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.
10
Whatever my eyes desired, I didn’t keep from them. I didn’t withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor.
11
Selected verse
Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
12
I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly; for what can the king’s successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.
13
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
14
The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness—and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.
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