An exposition of Solomons book called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seen and allowedAn exposition of Salomons booke called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seene and allowed

Then did I turn me, to consider wisdom, error, and foolishness. For what is he among men, that ⟨p. 38⟩might be compared to me the king, in such works? And I saw that wisdom excelleth foolishness, as far as light doth darkness. For a wise man hath his eyes in his head, but the fool goeth in darkness. I perceived also that they both had one end.

Then dyd I turne me, to consider wisedome, errour, and foolishnes. For what is hee among men, that ⟨p. 38⟩might be cōpared to me the kyng, in such workes? And I sawe that wisedome excelleth foolishenes, as farre as light doth darkenes. For a wise man hath his eyes in his head, but the foole goeth in darkenesse. I perceaued also that they both had one end.

BY an other experience he proveth all things are but vain,¹ I mean mans counsels and enterprises. Even (saith he) as it hath happened to me: so see I it happeneth to others also. My devises, & wisdom were frustrate & in vain, and could not attain to that success that I wished. The same I perceived in others likewise. I looked upon other mens wisdom and folly, and compared them together. I saw how some men dealt very wisely, & went about matters very prudently. I saw also foolish men and hare-brains working without counsel, and yet their folly and temerity was sometime fortunate and had good success. Where the counsels of the wise came to no effect, and the wise men were most infortunate, in so much that this fool hardiness became a Proverb, Fortune ⟨image 40⟩