Ecclesiastes 2:13 asv — Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

American Standard Version

"Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. "

— Ecclesiastes 2:13, American Standard Version

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Ecclesiastes 2:13 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Ecclesiastes 2 — Context

10

And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor.

11

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

12

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for whatcanthe mandothat cometh after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.

13

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

14

The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.

15

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.

16

For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool!

Ecclesiastes 2:13 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 2:13 say?
Ecclesiastes 2:13 in the American Standard Version reads: “Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. ”
Where is Ecclesiastes 2:13 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 2:13 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 2, verse 13.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 2:13.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 2:13 in?
Ecclesiastes 2:13 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 2:13?
Ecclesiastes 2:13 reads (ASV): “Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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