Vanity of vanities; all is vanity

Cultural  

1. A statement at the beginning of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. The pointlessness of human activity is the major theme of the book. The author, however, like Job, insists that God's laws must be kept, whether keeping them results in happiness or sorrow.

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Example Sentences

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Vanity of vanities; all is vanity

The binding metaphor of 17th century still life was the vanitas, a term deriving from the text in Ecclesiastes, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

From Time Magazine Archive

Old Version of Ecclesiastes 1:2-3: Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.

From Time Magazine Archive

Vanity of vanities; all is vanity; vain instruments of vain learning, farewell!

From The Ravens and the Angels With Other Stories and Parables by Elizabeth Rundle Charles

The result had not been very cheerful, for beneath this form of calendar stood a confession of faith, thus expressed, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!"

From Samuel Brohl and Company by Victor Cherbuliez

The Bitter Proof "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

From The Spinster Book by Myrtle Reed