And I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I have perceived that this also is striving of spirit.

I set my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness;

All this I have seen, and I gave my heart to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt.

When I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth, not seeing sleep with the eyes, day or night;

then I looked at all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun; because though a man labors to seek it out, yet he shall not find it. Moreover, though a wise one speaks of knowing, yet he shall not be able to find it.

The works of Jehovah are great, sought out by all who have pleasure in them.

so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and extend your heart to understanding;

if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures,

The first thing about wisdom is: Get wisdom. And with all your getting, get understanding.

He that separates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound wisdom.

The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

My son, give Me your heart, and let your eyes take pleasure in observing My ways.

Attend to these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

I have seen the task which God has given to the sons of men to keep busy.

Again, I considered all labor, and every successful work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and striving of spirit.

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: The making of many books has no end, and much study is a weariness to the flesh.

In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you have been taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.