Quotes from Ecclesiastes

Quotations follow the King James Version translation (Oxford University Press, 1611) — our recommended edition.

1. 2

   To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2. 3

   There is no new thing under the sun.

3. 4

   A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

4. 5

   A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5. 6

   Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry.

6. 7

   The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

7. 8

   Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

8. 9

   Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

9. 10

   For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

10. 11

    Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

11. 12

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

12. 13

    Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

13. 14

    Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

14. 15

    A living dog is better than a dead lion.

15. 16

    A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

16. 17

    He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

17. 18

    A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

18. 19

    One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

19. 20

    Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

20. 21

    He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

21. 22

    Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

22. 23

    Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.