Ecclesiastes 2:14

Verse

The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

American Standard Version (1901)

The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.

Bible in Basic English

The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the foolish man goes walking in the dark; but still I saw that the same event comes to them all.

Free Bible Version

The wise see where they're going, but fools walk in darkness. But I also realized that they all come to the same end.

King James (Authorized) Version

The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

Translation for Translators

because wise people walk in the daylight and [IDM] can see where they are going, but foolish people walk in the darkness and cannot see where they are going.” But I also realized that both wise people and foolish people eventually die.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The wise man uses his eyes in his head to see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness, although I know the same event happens to all of them.

Noah Webster Bible

The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

World English Bible

The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness—and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.

Young's Literal Translation

The wise! — his eyes [are] in his head, and the fool in darkness is walking, and I also knew that one event happeneth with them all;

Context

The Wise and the Foolish

¹³And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness: ¹⁴The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both. 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.

Sermons

Epistle 46

George Fox

Epistle 51

George Fox

Epistle 44

George Fox

Summary

This verse reflects on the futility of wisdom and knowledge when pursued apart from God. It acknowledges that the wise and the fool ultimately share the same fate, highlighting the limitations of human understanding in the grand scheme of life. The pursuit of wisdom alone is deemed meaningless without a foundation in reverence for God. It serves as a reminder that true fulfillment and purpose are found in seeking God's wisdom and aligning one's life with His will.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

The wise man's eyes are in his head,.... And so are the eyes of every man; but the sense is, he makes use of them, he looks about him, and walks circumspectly; he takes heed to his goings, he foresees the evil, and avoids it; or the danger he is exposed unto, and guards against it. Some understand it, in a more spiritual and evangelical sense, of Christ, who is the head of the body the church, and of every true believer; of everyone that is wise unto salvation, whose eyes are on him alone for righteousness, salvation, and eternal life; or on whom Christ's eyes are; who is said to have seven eyes, with which he guides, guards, and protects his people; but the fool walketh in darkness; his eyes are to the ends of the earth; he walks incautiously, without any circumspection or guard; he knows not where he is, nor where he is going, nor where he shall set his foot next, nor at what he may stumble; wherefore a wise man is to be preferred to a fool, as wisdom is to folly. The Midrash interprets the wise man of Abraham, and the fool of Nimrod; and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all; the wise man and the fool; or, "but I myself perceived" (w), &c. though it is allowed that a wise man is better than a fool; yet this also must be owned, which Solomon's experience proved, and every man's does, that the same things befall wise men and fools; they are liable to the same diseases of body, and disasters of life; to poverty and distress, to loss of estate, children, and friends, and to death itself. (w) "sed agnovi", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "sed cognovi", Rambachius; "but I saw", Broughton.

Ecclesiastes 2:14

The Wise and the Foolish

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

American Standard Version (1901)

The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.

Bible in Basic English

The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the foolish man goes walking in the dark; but still I saw that the same event comes to them all.

Free Bible Version

The wise see where they're going, but fools walk in darkness. But I also realized that they all come to the same end.

King James (Authorized) Version

The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

The wise man uses his eyes in his head to see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness, although I know the same event happens to all of them.

Noah Webster Bible

The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

World English Bible

The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness—and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.

Young's Literal Translation

The wise! — his eyes [are] in his head, and the fool in darkness is walking, and I also knew that one event happeneth with them all;