Ecclesiastes 2:12

“And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.”

King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations for Ecclesiastes 2:12

ΒΆ And I turned my selfe to behold wisedome, and madnesse and folly: for what can the man doe, that commeth after the king? euen that which hath bene already done.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what {will} the man {do} who will come after the king {except} what has already been done?
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what `can' the man `do' that cometh after the king? `even' that which hath been done long ago.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And I went again in search of wisdom and of foolish ways. What may the man do who comes after the king? The thing which he has done before.
- Basic English Bible

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly; for what shall the man [do] that cometh after the king? -- that which hath already been done.
- Darby Bible

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
- Webster's Bible

I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king's successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.
- World English Bible

And I turned to see wisdom, and madness, and folly, but what [is] the man who cometh after the king? that which [is] already -- they have done it!
- Youngs Literal Bible

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly; for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Bible Commentary for Ecclesiastes 2:12

Wesley's Notes for Ecclesiastes 2:12


2:12 I turned - Being frustrated of my hopes in pleasure, I returned to a second consideration of my first choice, to see whether there was not more satisfaction to be gotten from wisdom, than I discovered at my first view. Done - As by others, so especially by myself. They can make no new discoveries as to this point. They can make no more of the pleasures of sense than I have done. Let me then try once more, whether wisdom can give happiness.


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