I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life. But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure.” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness during their brief time in this world.
I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them all with all kinds of fruit trees. I build reservoirs to collect water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. (vv. 1-6, NLT)
So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. Bur as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, It was all so meaningless-like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. (vv. 9-11, NLT0