Quote Atlassourced quotes & context
Textual source voice · 9 quotations

Ecclesiastes Quotes: Sources, Meanings & Themes

Browse quotations represented under Ecclesiastes with named sources, context notes, meanings and recurring themes.

About this source voice

Context for this collection

Biblical wisdom-book source voice

Common themes

Time, work, companionship, mortality, patience and the limits of human control.

Source identified1
Of making many books there is no end.

“Of making many books there is no end.”

The ancient observation sounds surprisingly modern: written material can multiply without limit, so discernment matters as much as sheer volume.

Source details

Ecclesiastes 12:12 in the King James Version; excerpt from the verse’s warning about endless book-making and study.

Source identified2
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

The verse places change inside a larger rhythm of seasons and purposes, making it useful for thinking about acceptance when one phase of life gives way to another.

Source details

Ecclesiastes 3:1 in the King James Version, opening the sequence of contrasting times and seasons.

Source identified3
There is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

“There is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.”

Enjoyment and doing good are placed together, suggesting that a good life contains both received joy and useful action.

Source details

Ecclesiastes 3:12 in the King James Version.

Source identified4
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

“I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.”

Joy and doing good are placed together as practical goods available within a life whose timing cannot be fully controlled.

Source details

Ecclesiastes 3:12 in the King James Version.

Source identified6
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.”

Shared effort can increase both practical results and resilience because responsibility does not rest on one person alone.

Source details

Ecclesiastes 4:9, King James Version.

Source identified7
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

Finishing and enduring are given more weight than the excitement of starting or the pride of appearance.

Source details

Ecclesiastes 7:8 in the King James Version; the verse contrasts patient spirit with pride and values the completed end of a matter over the excitement of its beginning.

Source identified8
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”

The warning treats speed itself as part of the danger of anger: delay creates room for judgment before emotion hardens into conduct.

Source details

Ecclesiastes 7:9 in the King James Version.