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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

Conceit and Vanity "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!"

From The Spinster Book by Reed, Myrtle

The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches emphatically that "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity": and is thus the necessary introduction to the Song of Solomon, which shows how true blessing and satisfaction are to be possessed.

From Union And Communion or Thoughts on the Song of Solomon by Taylor, James Hudson

Every motion of him cries "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, quoth the preacher."

From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various