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Ecclesiastes 5:7
Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. Therefore, fear God!
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Ecclesiastes 1:17-18
So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.
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Hosea 12:1
Ephraim continually feeds on the wind; he chases the east wind all day; he multiplies lies and violence. They make treaties with Assyria, and send olive oil as tribute to Egypt.
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Psalms 73:6
Arrogance is their necklace, and violence their clothing.
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Ecclesiastes 1:6-9
The wind goes to the south and circles around to the north; round and round the wind goes and on its rounds it returns.All the streams flow into the sea, but the sea is not full, and to the place where the streams flow, there they will flow again.All this monotony is tiresome; no one can bear to describe it: The eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear ever content with hearing.What exists now is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing truly new on earth.
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Ecclesiastes 4:16
There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations, yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.
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Ecclesiastes 4:8
A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments,“ For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is futile and a burdensome task!
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Ecclesiastes 4:1-4
So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive.But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless– like chasing the wind.
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Ecclesiastes 2:3-11
I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine( all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock– both herds and flocks– than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight– a harem of beautiful concubines!So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort.Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded:“ All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless– like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”
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Ecclesiastes 3:19
For the fate of humans and the fate of animals are the same: As one dies, so dies the other; both have the same breath. There is no advantage for humans over animals, for both are fleeting.
