13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.

Other Translations of Ecclesiastes 2:13

King James Version

13 Then I saw that that...: Heb. that there is an excellency in wisdom more than in folly, etc wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

English Standard Version

13 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness.

The Message

13 But I did see that it's better to be smart than stupid, just as light is better than darkness.

New King James Version

13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness.

New Living Translation

13 I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:13

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

(Read Ecclesiastes 2:12-17)

Solomon found that knowledge and prudence were preferable to ignorance and folly, though human wisdom and knowledge will not make a man happy. The most learned of men, who dies a stranger to Christ Jesus, will perish equally with the most ignorant; and what good can commendations on earth do to the body in the grave, or the soul in hell? And the spirits of just men made perfect cannot want them. So that if this were all, we might be led to hate our life, as it is all vanity and vexation of spirit.