Ecclesiastes 7:22 (KJV)

Passage

For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Nearby Context

Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Ecclesiastes 7:21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

Ecclesiastes 7:22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Ecclesiastes 7:23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

Ecclesiastes 7:24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "oftentimes", "thine", "heart", "knoweth", "thou", "thyself", "likewise", and "hast". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "oftentimes" and "thine", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 21's "Also take no heed unto all words..." into verse 23's "All this have I proved by wisdom...", so "oftentimes" and "thine" belong inside that flow. In Ecclesiastes context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "oftentimes" and "thine" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.