Ecclesiastes 1:17

Modern

So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

Traditional

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

Literal

And I set my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly; I have known that this also—it is a striving after the wind.

Latin

Dedique cor meum ut scirem prudentiam atque doctrinam, erroresque et stultitiam; et agnovi quod in his quoque esset labor et afflictio spiritus:

Hebrew

English

So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

The Teacher examines how wisdom, work, and pleasure relate to each other.

Ecclesiastes 2:3
I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
…but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
Ecclesiastes 2:10–12
Anything my eyes desired, I did not deny myself. I refused my heart no pleasure. For my heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
Ecclesiastes 1:13–14
And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a miserable task God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them!
Ecclesiastes 7:23–25
All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.