The Book of Ecclesiastes

I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility.

I said of laughter, "It is madness," and of pleasure, "What does it accomplish?"

I explored with my mind [how] to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding [me] wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives.

I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself;

I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees.

I bought male and female slaves, and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.

Also, I collected for myself silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men - many concubines.

Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.