Ecclesiastes 9:5

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

For the living know - and may thereby be led "so to number their days that they may apply their hearts to wisdom" (Ecclesiastes 7:1; ).

But the dead know not - i:e., so far as their bodily senses and worldly affairs are concerned (; ): also, they know no door of repentance open to them, such as is to all on earth.

Neither have they ... a reward - no advantage from their worldly labours (Ecclesiastes 2:18; ).

For the memory of them is forgotten - not of the righteous (; ), but the wicked, who, with all the pains to perpetuate their names (), are soon "forgotten" ().