1. Common Sense and Folly (12-16)

The wisdom mentioned here is the opposite of folly. It can mean "common sense." As we would expect, it is better to have common sense than to be foolish. Fools walk in darkness, while the wise see with their eyes. But the same fate overtakes both the wise and the foolish. So the Teacher decided both are meaningless, but both the wise and the foolish perish and are soon forgotten.

2. Toil is meaningless (17-26)

The Teacher also learned that toil is meaningless. One might as well chase after the wind and try to catch it. For everything we undertake to do, we just end up leaving it to someone else. They may foolishly squander what they get from us. The Teacher concludes that all a person can do is to enjoy their lives. They can enjoy eating and drinking and toiling, because all of this is from the hand of God. Without God, we can't enjoy even the act of eating! Enjoying this God-given life pleases God. And God will give us wisdom and happiness.