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 7:1-4; Psalms 90:12).
But the dead know not - i:e., so far as their bodily senses and worldly affairs are concerned (Job 14:21; Isaiah 63:16): 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 2:18-22; Ecclesiastes 4:9).
For the memory of them is forgotten - not of the righteous (Psalms 112:6; Malachi 3:16), but the wicked, who, with all the pains to perpetuate their names (Psalms 49:11), are soon "forgotten" (Ecclesiastes 8:10).