English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 1:18
18For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 1:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
- New International Version (NIV)For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.
Context of Ecclesiastes 1:18
16I said in my heart, "I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge." 17And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 1Ecclesiastes 1:18 word by word
כִּ֛י בְּרֹ֥ב חָכְמָ֖ה רָב־כָּ֑עַס וְיוֹסִ֥יף דַּ֖עַת יוֹסִ֥יף מַכְאֽוֹב׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 1:18
- Ecclesiastes 2:15Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity.
- Ecclesiastes 7:16Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
- Ecclesiastes 12:12My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
- Job 28:28And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
- James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 1:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18For in much wisdom is much grief - The more we know of ourselves the less satisfied shall we be with our own hearts; and the more we know of mankind the less willing shall we be to trust them, and the less shall we admire them. Be that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow - And why so? Because, independently of God, the principal objects of knowledge are natural and moral evils. The Targum gives a curious paraphrase here: "The man who multiplies wisdom…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18We become more sensible of our ignorance and impotence, and therefore sorrowful, in proportion as we discover more of the constitution of nature and the scheme of Providence in the government of the world; every discovery serving to convince us that more remains concealed of which we had no suspicion before.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 Solomon tried all things, and found them vanity. He found his searches after knowledge weariness, not only to the flesh, but to the mind. The more he saw of the works done under the sun, the more he saw their vanity; and the sight often vexed his spirit. He could neither gain that satisfaction to himself, nor do that good to others, which he expected. Even the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom discovered man's wickedness and misery; so that the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-18The Teacher examines how wisdom, work, and pleasure relate to each other.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. wisdom ... knowledge--not in general, for wisdom, &c., are most excellent in their place; but speculative knowledge of man's ways (Ec 1:13, 17), which, the farther it goes, gives one the more pain to find how "crooked" and "wanting" they are (Ec 1:15; 12:12).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 1:18
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries