"And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit." — Ecclesiastes 1:17

Ecclesiastes 1:17 · KJV

“And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.”

— Ecclesiastes 1:17

I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all {they} that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. {had...: Heb. had seen much}

Verse 18

For in much wisdom {is} much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 1 — Context

{That which is} crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. {that which is wanting: Heb. defect}

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

For in much wisdom {is} much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:3

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what {was} that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. {to give...: Heb. to draw my flesh with wine} {all...: Heb. the number of the days of their life}

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-12

And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

Ecclesiastes 1:13-14

And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all {things} that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. {to be...: or, to afflict them}

Ecclesiastes 7:23-25

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it {was} far from me.