10. Is there any thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time, which was before us.
11. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
12. I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this severe burden has God given to the sons of man to be afflicted with.
14. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and like grasping the wind.
15. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is lacking cannot be numbered.
16. I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I have come to greatness, 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.
17. And I set my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is like grasping the wind.
18. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.