Cross-references Explore similar Bible verses on Ecclesiastes 1:17 in English Standard Version "And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind." Ec 1:13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. Ec 1:14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. Ec 2:3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. Ec 2:12 So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. Ec 7:23 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. Ec 7:25 I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. Ec 9:3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.