Ecclesiastes 1:18

BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.”

What this verse means

A short, plain-language explanation of Ecclesiastes 1:18 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.

Compare translations
BSBPD

“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.”

Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)
KJVPD

“For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”

King James Version · Public Domain
ASVPD

“For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”

American Standard Version · Public Domain
YLTPD

“for, in abundance of wisdom <FI>is<Fi> abundance of sadness, and he who addeth knowledge addeth pain.'”

Young's Literal Translation · Public Domain
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Cross references

Other passages that echo Ecclesiastes 1:18 — 7 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  1. Job 28:28And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
  2. Ecclesiastes 2:15So I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?” And I said to myself that this too is futile.
  3. Ecclesiastes 2:23Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.
  4. Ecclesiastes 7:16Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
  5. Ecclesiastes 12:12And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.
  6. 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
  7. James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).

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