“Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.”
The recognition that wisdom has advantage over folly as light has advantage over darkness represents a qualified affirmation of wisdom's superiority, even within the verdict of vanity. This verse suggests that while both wisdom and foolishness ultimately sink into futility, wisdom remains preferable insofar as it allows one to see reality as it is, however grim. The simile of light and darkness recalls ancient traditions equating wisdom with illumination; Qohelet conserves this metaphor while stripping it of its triumphalist implications.
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