Subject: Pursuing Wisdom - Ecclesiastes 1-2

Ecclesiastes 1:17 (ESV Strong's)
And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

Subject:  Wisdom - The Pursuit of it

Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, is also the author of Proverbs.   In the above verse we read that pursuing wisdom (along with its counter part, folly) is like striving after the wind.  In Proverbs 1:7 we read:

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

He goes on to tell us in Proverbs that having wisdom is a blessing and that the pursuit of it is better than riches and gold (chapters 3 and 8 specifically).  There is not a conflict between Proverbs and Ecclesiastes as much as there is a difference in the purpose of each book.  Proverbs is to teach us how to pursue wisdom and what the benefits are in the pursuit.   Ecclesiastes has been written to show us that the pursuit of wisdom isn't easy, especially if we fall into the trap of pursuing folly along with it.   You can't read Ecclesiastes unless you read the last couple of verses of the book first:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV Strong's)
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

If we pursue anything it should be the Fear of God.   We do that by walking His ways and in His truth.   That is the whole (entire) duty of man.   Those who pursue wisdom are after the benefits of God without pursuing God.   We are to chase God and He (and He alone) will give us the gift of Wisdom.   The mere pursuit of wisdom is the same as chasing folly ... it is all vanity.   But, pursuing God in fear, awe and reverence will produce the benefits of wisdom.   The world is in pursuit of wisdom through philosophy, psychology and economic gain.   Solomon is telling us this is all vanity.   Only through the Fear of the Lord comes these things.   God gives Wisdom as gift, not as a royal pursuit (James 1:5-8).