Where Is Wisdom?: A complex segment closes the section (8:1–17). Here the value of wisdom is considered in the context of people’s power over one another and the apparent lack of retribution. As usual, Qohelet concludes with a combination of positive and negative refrains. The commendation of pleasure (8:15) is muted by the preceding “this too is meaningless” (8:14) and the following “no one can comprehend” (8:17).The reader’s response to this section is likely to be complex and perhaps even contradictory. On the one hand, it contains Qohelet’s most thoroughgoing rejection of human wisdom: no one, not even the wisest, understands. On the other hand, Qohelet addresses readers directly in negative and positive imperatives (7:16–17, 21; 8:2–3). With a confident tone Qohelet commands the reade…