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

I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”

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I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

I said of laughter, It is mad, and of pleasure, What does it accomplish?

I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?

Merriment, I thought, is madness; pleasure, of no use at all.

Laughter, I considered an error. And to rejoicing, I said: "Why are you being deceived, to no purpose?"

Laughter I counted error: and to mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?

Even in laughter the heart is sad, and the end of joy is grief.

A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.