Ecclesiastes 1:17

New American Bible - revised edition

yet when I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly, I learned that this also is a chase after wind.

Cross References

Psalm 73:16

Though I tried to understand all this, it was too difficult for me,

Ecclesiastes 12:8

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, all things are vanity! Epilogue.

Ecclesiastes 2:17

Therefore I detested life, since for me the work that is done under the sun is bad; for all is vanity and a chase after wind. To Others the Profits.

Ecclesiastes 2:3

Guided by wisdom, I probed with my mind how to beguile my senses with wine and take up folly, until I should understand what is good for human beings to do under the heavens during the limited days of their lives.

Ecclesiastes 3:19

For the lot of mortals and the lot of beasts is the same lot: The one dies as well as the other. Both have the same life breath. Human beings have no advantage over beasts, but all is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Then I saw that all toil and skillful work is the rivalry of one person with another. This also is vanity and a chase after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better is one handful with tranquility than two with toil and a chase after wind! Companions and Successors.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

“What the eyes see is better than what the desires wander after.” This also is vanity and a chase after wind.

Ecclesiastes 8:16

I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, though neither by day nor by night do one’s eyes see sleep,

Ecclesiastes 9:3

Among all the things that are done under the sun, this is the worst, that there is one lot for all. Hence the hearts of human beings are filled with evil, and madness is in their hearts during life; and afterward—to the dead!

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Test everything; retain what is good.