12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom and those who are mad, and folly; for what can the man do that comes after the king? even that which has already been done.
13 And I have seen that wisdom excels folly as far as light excels darkness.
14 The wise man has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness: And I myself also understood that one event happens to the one and to the other.
15 Then I said in my heart, As it shall happen to the fool, so it shall happen even to me. Why have I worked until now to make myself wiser? Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.
16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever, seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And also the wise man shall die the same as the fool.
17 Therefore I hated life because every work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all was vanity and vexation of spirit.
18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun, which I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.