Does Wisdom Bring Happiness?

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

I decided to study and to use my wisdom to learn about everything that is done in this life. I learned that it is a very hard thing that God has given us to do.

I said to myself, “I am very wise. I am wiser than all the kings who ruled Jerusalem before me. I know what wisdom and knowledge really are.”

I decided to learn how wisdom and knowledge are better than thinking foolish thoughts. But I learned that trying to become wise is like trying to catch the wind.

With much wisdom comes frustration. The one who gains more wisdom also gains more sorrow.

So I decided to fill my body with wine while I filled my mind with wisdom. I tried this foolishness because I wanted to find a way to be happy. I wanted to see what was good for people to do during their few days of life.

I became very rich and famous. I was greater than anyone who lived in Jerusalem before me. My wisdom was always there to help me.

Maybe Wisdom Is the Answer

Then I decided to think about what it means to be wise or to be foolish or to do crazy things. And I thought about the one who will be the next king. The new king will do the same as the kings before him.

I saw that wisdom is better than foolishness in the same way that light is better than darkness.

People can work hard using all their wisdom and knowledge and skill. But they will die and other people will get the things they worked for. They did not do the work, but they will get everything. That makes me very sad. It is also not fair and is senseless.

If people do good and please God, he will give them wisdom, knowledge, and joy. But those who sin will get only the work of gathering and carrying things. God takes from the bad person and gives to the good person. But all this work is useless. It is like trying to catch the wind.

Even the wise will forget their wisdom, if someone pays them enough. That money destroys their understanding.

Don’t say, “Life was better in the ‘good old days.’ What happened?” Wisdom does not lead us to ask that question.

Wisdom is better if you also have property. Wise people will get more than enough wealth.

Wisdom and money can protect you. But knowledge gained through wisdom is even better—it can save your life.

Surely there is no one on earth who always does good and never sins. But wisdom can make one person stronger than ten leaders in a city.

I used my wisdom and thought about all these things. I wanted to be wise, but I couldn’t do it.

I studied and I tried very hard to find true wisdom. I tried to find a reason for everything. I did learn that it is foolish to be evil, and it is crazy to act like a fool.

Wisdom and Power

No one can understand and explain things the way wise people can. Their wisdom makes them happy. It changes a sad face into a happy one.

Every time you find work to do, do it the best you can. In the grave there is no work. There is no thinking, no knowledge, and there is no wisdom. And we are all going to the place of death.

The Power of Wisdom

I also saw a person doing a wise thing in this life, and it seemed very important to me.

But there was a wise man in that town. He was poor, but he used his wisdom to save his town. After everything was finished, the people forgot about the poor man.

But I still say that wisdom is better than strength. They forgot about the poor man’s wisdom, and the people stopped listening to what he said. But I still believe that wisdom is better.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one fool can destroy much good.

A few dead flies will make even the best perfume stink. In the same way, a little foolishness can ruin much wisdom and honor.