13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
13 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness.
13 But I did see that it's better to be smart than stupid, just as light is better than darkness.
13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness.
13 I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:13
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:12-17
(Read Ecclesiastes 2:12-17)
Solomon found that knowledge and prudence were preferable to ignorance and folly, though human wisdom and knowledge will not make a man happy. The most learned of men, who dies a stranger to Christ Jesus, will perish equally with the most ignorant; and what good can commendations on earth do to the body in the grave, or the soul in hell? And the spirits of just men made perfect cannot want them. So that if this were all, we might be led to hate our life, as it is all vanity and vexation of spirit.