How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a chasing after wind. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and those who increase knowledge increase sorrow. (NRSV 1:17-18)
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. (KJV 1:17-18)
Early on, Ecclesiastes questions the very idea of wisdom. He says that the wise are sad because they see how empty and vain life is. But this isn't his last word on wisdom, since he goes on to say that even though it leads you into "the house of mourning," the grimace it gives you can hide a secret gladness on the inside.
Quote #2
For who knows what is good for mortals while they live the few days of their vain life, which they pass like a shadow? For who can tell them what will be after them under the sun? (NRSV 6:12)
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? (KJV 6:12)
Ecclesiastes asks this rhetorical question to imply that no human being can know what's truly good for every other human being. Our situations are all just too different, and the problems that rise up in the world are too various for any person to know all the answers.
Quote #3
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for this is the end of everyone, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of fools; this also is vanity. (NRSV 7:2-6)
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. (KJV 7:2-6)
This was also quoted in the section on "Folly"—but we couldn't exactly leave it out of the wisdom section either. Ecclesiastes points out that, even though the wise face up to sadness, since they see the way life really is, they can be secretly pleased with the dark comedy of it all. They're happy because they aren't deceived by life's illusions.