Ecclesiastes 2:16 asv — 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 ha…

American Standard Version

"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 2:16, American Standard Version

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Ecclesiastes 2:16 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 2 — Context

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!

17

So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

18

And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

19

And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 2:16 say?
Ecclesiastes 2:16 in the American Standard Version reads: “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! ”
Where is Ecclesiastes 2:16 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 2:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 2, verse 16.
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 2:16.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 2:16 in?
Ecclesiastes 2:16 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 2:16?
Ecclesiastes 2:16 reads (ASV): “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! ” 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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