2 I said about laughter, “It is madness!”

And about pleasure,* “What use is it?”

3 I explored with my heart by indulging myself with wine,+ all the while maintaining my own wisdom; I even embraced foolishness to find out what was the best thing for humans to do during their few days of life under the heavens.

12 Then I turned my attention to wisdom and madness and folly.+ (For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done.)

25 I directed my heart to know and to explore and to search for wisdom and the reason behind things, and to understand the wickedness of stupidity and the folly of madness.+