I searched with my mind how to cheer my body with wine--my mind still guiding me with wisdom--and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven during the few days of their life.

And I applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with.

For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

I said to myself, "I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge."

For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money; and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.

But there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.

When I applied my mind to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night one's eyes see sleep;