Translations
Modern
Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished?
Traditional
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
Literal
And I turned to look at wisdom and madness and folly. For what is the man who comes after the king—that which already they have done!
Latin
Transivi ad contemplandam sapientiam, erroresque, et stultitiam. (Quid est, inquam, homo, ut sequi possit regem, factorem suum?)
Original
Hebrew
English
Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished?
Notes
what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished?: After the Teacher, no one will have a better way to compare wisdom and foolishness because nothing new will happen under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9–10).
The Teacher now examines the value of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 2:12–17) and hard work (2:18–23). These, too, are futile (Ecclesiastes 2:17).
The Teacher examines how wisdom, work, and pleasure relate to each other.
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Topics
Investigation: General Scriptures Concerning Pleasure: Worldly Wisdom: Worldly Worldliness: General Scriptures Concerning