“That which is was long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God bringeth back again that which is past.”

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.”

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

“It is unlikely that the good of a snail should reside in its shell: so is it likely that the good of a man should?”

“In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside.”

“If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men's cottages princes' palaces.”

“That which makes the man no worse than he was makes his life no worse: it has no power to harm, without or within.”

“Always take the short cut; and that is the rational one. Therefore say and do everything according to soundest reason.”