Ecclesiastes 2:1-8

¹I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and, behold, this also was vanity. ²I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?" ³I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives. ⁴I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards. ⁵I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. ⁶I made myself pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared. ⁷I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem; ⁸I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men -- musical instruments, and that of all sorts.