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

— Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth), Ecclesiastes 2:13-16 (NIV)

About Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth)

Hebrew wisdom book traditionally ascribed to King Solomon. Scholars debate its authorship and date.

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

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”