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And I said to myself that this too is futile." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 2:14">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 2:15 <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 2:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New International Version</a> Then I said to myself, &#8220The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?&#8221 I said to myself, &#8220This too is meaningless.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!” <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. <a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?” And I said to myself that this too is futile. <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New King James Version</a> So I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, It also happens to me, And why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart, “This also is vanity.” <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then I said to myself, “As is the fate of the fool, it will also happen to me. Why then have I been extremely wise?” So I said to myself, “This too is futility.” <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then I said to myself, &#8220As is the fate of the fool, it will also befall me. Why then have I been extremely wise?&#8221 So I said to myself, &#8220This too is vanity.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then I said to myself, “As is the fate of the fool, it will also befall me. Why then have I been extremely wise?” So I said to myself, “This too is vanity.” <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then I said in my heart, “As is the fate of the fool, so will my fate be also. Why then have I been extremely wise?” So I said in my heart, “This too is vanity.” <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then I said to myself, “As it happens to the fool, so death will also happen to me. What use is it then for me to be extremely wise?” Then I said in my heart, “This too is vanity (meaningless).” <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So I said to myself, “What happens to the fool will also happen to me. Why then have I been overly wise? ” And I said to myself that this is also futile. <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So I said to myself, &#8220What happens to the fool will also happen to me. Why then have I been overly wise?&#8221 And I said to myself that this is also futile. <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Finally, I said to myself, "Being wise got me nowhere! The same thing will happen to me that happens to fools. Nothing makes sense. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also was vanity. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I thought to myself, "[If] the destiny that waits for the fool waits for me as well, then what is the advantage in being wise?" So I thought that even this is pointless. <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> I thought to myself, "What happens to fools is going to happen to me, too. So what have I gained from being so wise?" "Nothing," I answered, "not a thing." <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then I told myself, "Whatever happens to the fool will happen also to me. Therefore what's the point in being so wise?" And I told myself that this also is pointless. <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NET Bible</a> So I thought to myself, "The fate of the fool will happen even to me! Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively wise?" So I lamented to myself, "The benefits of wisdom are ultimately meaningless!" <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then said I in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?" Then said I in my heart that this also is vanity. <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?” And I said to myself that this too is futile. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Then I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and I said in my heart, “As it happens with the fool, it happens also with me, and why am I then more wise?” And I spoke in my heart, that also this [is] vanity: <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and I said in my heart, 'As it happeneth with the fool, it happeneth also with me, and why am I then more wise?' And I spake in my heart, that also this is vanity: <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I said in my heart, As the event of the foolish one, also I, it will meet me; and wherefore then was I more wise? And I spake in my heart, This is also vanity.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I said in my heart: If the death of the fool and mine shall be one, what doth it avail me, that I have applied myself more to the study of wisdom? And speaking with my own mind, I perceived that this also was vanity. <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I said in my heart: “If the death of both the foolish and myself will be one, how does it benefit me, if I have given myself more thoroughly to the work of wisdom?” And as I was speaking within my own mind, I perceived that this, too, is emptiness. <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Bible</a> So I said in my heart, if the fool’s lot is to befall me also, why should I be wise? Where is the profit? And in my heart I decided that this too is vanity. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then I said to myself, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also; why then have I been so very wise?” And I said to myself that this also is vanity.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then I said in my heart, The misfortune of the fool will happen to me also; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, This also is vanity. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> I said in my heart: "surely, according to the misfortune of a fool, it will happen also to me, and why am I more wise? And I said in my heart: "this also is futility!"<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then said I in my heart: 'As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?' Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And I said in my heart, As the event of the fool is, so shall it be to me, even to me: and to what purpose have I gained wisdom? I said moreover in my heart, This is also vanity, because the fool speaks of his abundance. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=312" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">The Wise and the Foolish</a> …14The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both. 15<a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">So I</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mar·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: bə·lib·bî (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">to myself,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4745.htm" title="4745: kə·miq·rêh (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Accident, chance, fortune. From qarah; something met with, i.e. An accident or fortune.">“The fate</a> <a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: hak·kə·sîl (Art:: N-ms) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">of the fool</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">will also</a> <a href="/hebrew/7136.htm" title="7136: yiq·rê·nî (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to light upon; causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose timbers.">befall</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">me.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: wə·lām·māh (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/227.htm" title="227: ’āz (Adv) -- At that time. A demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore.">then</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">have I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3148.htm" title="3148: yō·w·ṯêr (N-ms) -- Active participle of yathar; properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction.">gained</a> <a href="/hebrew/2449.htm" title="2449: ḥā·ḵam·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To be wise. A primitive root, to be wise.">by being wise?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: wə·ḏib·bar·tî (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">And I said</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: ḇə·lib·bî (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">to myself</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">that this</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: šeg·gam- (Pro-r:: Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">too</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: hā·ḇel (N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">is futile.</a> 16For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, just as with the fool, seeing that both will be forgotten in the days to come. Alas, the wise man will die just like the fool!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Psalm 49:10</a> For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. <a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-5</a> For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. / They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. / They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. <a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7-13</a> Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? / Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. / Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. ... <a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a> There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. <a href="/proverbs/16-25.htm">Proverbs 16:25</a> There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5-6</a> You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. <a href="/psalms/92-6.htm">Psalm 92:6-7</a> A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand, / that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed. <a href="/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21</a> Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. <a href="/jeremiah/9-23.htm">Jeremiah 9:23</a> This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">1 Corinthians 1:19-20</a> For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? <a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">1 Corinthians 3:18-20</a> Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. <a href="/james/3-13.htm">James 3:13-17</a> Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ... <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a> At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said I in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.even to me<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:16,18</a> I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge… <a href="/1_kings/3-12.htm">1 Kings 3:12</a> Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.then<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2,14</a> Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/12-21.htm">Befall</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm">Befalls</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">Extremely</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm">Fate</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-13.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm">Happeneth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm">Happens</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-10.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">Meaningless</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-7.htm">Overmuch</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-25.htm">Overtake</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/47-13.htm">Befall</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Befalls</a> <a href="/daniel/3-22.htm">Extremely</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-2.htm">Fate</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-14.htm">Happeneth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Happens</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm">Meaningless</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Overmuch</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-28.htm">Overtake</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 2</div>1. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure</a> 12. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-12.htm">Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event</a> 18. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">The vanity of human labor, in leaving it they know not to whom</a> 24. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Nothing better than joy in our labor but that is God's gift</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So I said to myself This phrase indicates a moment of introspection and self-reflection. The author, traditionally understood to be Solomon, is engaging in a personal dialogue. This introspective approach is common in wisdom literature, where the writer often contemplates life's deeper meanings and personal experiences.The fate of the fool will also befall me Here, the "fate" refers to death, a universal experience that does not discriminate between the wise and the foolish. This reflects the biblical theme of the vanity of earthly pursuits, as seen in <a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Psalm 49:10</a>, which notes that both the wise and the foolish perish. The inevitability of death underscores the limitations of human wisdom and achievement.What then have I gained by being wise? This rhetorical question highlights the perceived futility of wisdom when faced with the inevitability of death. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, wisdom was highly valued, yet here it is questioned. This echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a>, where human wisdom is contrasted with the wisdom of God, suggesting that earthly wisdom alone is insufficient for true fulfillment.And I said to myself that this too is futile The conclusion of futility or vanity is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes. The Hebrew word "hevel," often translated as "futile" or "vanity," suggests something transient or elusive. This reflects the broader biblical narrative that true meaning and purpose are found not in earthly wisdom or achievements but in a relationship with God, as seen in the ultimate fulfillment through Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life beyond the temporal concerns of this world.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_fool.htm">The Fool</a> Represents those who live without wisdom or understanding, often making poor choices and lacking foresight. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_wise.htm">The Wise</a> In contrast to the fool, the wise person seeks understanding, knowledge, and lives according to God's principles. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The central place of Solomon's reign and the location where he would have reflected on life's meaning and purpose. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_wisdom.htm">The Pursuit of Wisdom</a> An event or theme throughout Ecclesiastes where Solomon explores the value and limitations of human wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Limitations of Human Wisdom</a> Solomon acknowledges that despite his wisdom, he faces the same fate as the fool. This realization points to the limitations of human wisdom in providing ultimate meaning or escaping mortality. <a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_earthly_pursuits.htm">The Futility of Earthly Pursuits</a> The term "futile" (Hebrew: hevel) suggests a vapor or breath, indicating the transient and elusive nature of worldly achievements and wisdom. <a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_divine_perspective.htm">The Need for Divine Perspective</a> True wisdom comes from aligning our understanding with God's eternal perspective, recognizing that earthly wisdom alone cannot fulfill the deepest needs of the human soul. <a href="/topical/e/equality_in_mortality.htm">Equality in Mortality</a> Both the wise and the foolish face death, reminding us of the importance of living with an eternal perspective and investing in what truly matters. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_life's_purpose.htm">Reflecting on Life's Purpose</a> This passage encourages believers to reflect on their own lives, considering what pursuits are truly valuable in light of eternity.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 2</a> <a href="/q/how_does_eccl._9_2_align_with_divine_justice.htm">In Ecclesiastes 9:2, how can both righteous and wicked sharing the same fate align with other passages promising divine justice?</a> <a href="/q/is_wisdom_futile_in_ecclesiastes_2_15-16.htm">Does Ecclesiastes 2:15-16 contradict Proverbs' exaltation of wisdom by calling wisdom ultimately futile?</a> <a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_10_14_conflict_with_lengthy_scripture.htm">Does Ecclesiastes 10:14's critique of verbose fools conflict with the lengthy discourses found elsewhere in Scripture?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_folly.htm">What does the Bible say about foolishness?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - Then (and) said I in my heart (<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:16</a>), As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me. He applies the general statement of ver. 14 to his own case. The end that overtakes the fool will ere long overtake him; and he proceeds, Why was I then more wise? "Then" (אז), may be understood either logically, i.e. in this case, since such is the fate of wise and foolish; or temporally, at the hour of death regarded as past. He puts the question - To what end, with what design, has he been so excessively wise, or, as it may be, wise overmuch (<a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:16</a>)? His wisdom has, as it were, recoiled upon himself - it taught him much, but not content; it made him keen-sighted in seeing the emptiness of human things, but it satisfied not his cravings. Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. This similarity of fate for philosopher and fool makes life vain and worthless; or rather, the meaning may be, if the superiority of wisdom over folly conduces to no other end than this, that superiority is a vanity. The LXX. has glossed the passage, followed herein by the Syriac, "Moreover, I spake in my heart that indeed this is also vanity, because the fool speaks out of his abundance" - ver. 16 giving the substance of the fool's thoughts. Vulgate, Locutusque cum mente mea, animadverti quod hoc quoque esset vanitas. Our Hebrew text does not confirm this interpretation or addition. <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So I אֲנִ֜י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I said וְאָמַ֨רְתִּֽי (wə·’ā·mar·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to myself, בְּלִבִּ֗י (bə·lib·bî) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre “The fate כְּמִקְרֵ֤ה (kə·miq·rêh) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4745.htm">Strong's 4745: </a> Something met with, an accident, fortune of the fool הַכְּסִיל֙ (hak·kə·sîl) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3684.htm">Strong's 3684: </a> Stupid fellow, dullard, fool will also גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and befall me. יִקְרֵ֔נִי (yiq·rê·nî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7136.htm">Strong's 7136: </a> To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbers What וְלָ֧מָּה (wə·lām·māh) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what then אָ֣ז (’āz) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> At that time, place, therefore have I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I gained יוֹתֵ֑ר (yō·w·ṯêr) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3148.htm">Strong's 3148: </a> Superiority, advantage, excess by being wise?” חָכַ֛מְתִּי (ḥā·ḵam·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2449.htm">Strong's 2449: </a> To be wise And I said וְדִבַּ֣רְתִּי (wə·ḏib·bar·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue to myself בְלִבִּ֔י (ḇə·lib·bî) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre that this זֶ֖ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that too שֶׁגַּם־ (šeg·gam-) Pronoun - relative | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and is futile. הָֽבֶל׃ (hā·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:15 Then said I in my heart As (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>