Ecclesiastes 2:15 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021

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.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

Then said I in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it will happen even to me. And of what use is it then for me to be more wise? Then I said in my heart, This also is vanity (emptiness, vainglory, and futility)!

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Common English Bible

So I thought to myself, What happens to the fool will also happen to me. So why have I been so very wise? I said to myself, This too is pointless.

Catholic Public Domain Version

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.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

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.

Ecclesiastes 2:15 Cross References

1 Kings 3:12

I now do according to your word. Indeed, I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you, and no one like you shall arise after you.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun, and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:16

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.”

Ecclesiastes 1:18

For in much wisdom is much vexation, and those who increase knowledge increase sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 1:2

Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:16

For there is no enduring remembrance of the wise or of fools, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How can the wise die just like fools?

Ecclesiastes 6:11

The more words, the more vanity, so how is one the better?

Ecclesiastes 6:8

For what advantage have the wise over fools? And what do the poor have who know how to conduct themselves before the living?