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I said, ‘It is foolish to laugh all the time. If I only try to please myself, it does not really help me.’

I thought about wine. If I drink a lot of wine, I thought that might make me happy. I might enjoy foolish things. I used wisdom to think about this. People only live for a short time on the earth. I thought this might be the best way for people to enjoy life.

I also did a lot of great things for myself. I built houses. I planted vineyards.

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“Laughter,”(A) I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” I tried cheering myself with wine,(B) and embracing folly(C)—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself(D) and planted vineyards.(E)

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