A clear example of irony is this short passage, in which Qohelet contrasts the popular wisdom of proverbs with real experience. For him, as for other late Old Testament texts such as Sirach 13:23, truth is actually related to power, and it is this reality that he critiques with irony and scorn.
The parable in verses 14 and following may or may not be historical. It should, instead, be understood—like on other occasions—as a way of expressing his teaching.
Interestingly, we still use the proverb that gives this section its title very often. Does it express our desire to find wisdom? Ecclesiastes also seeks wisdom and appears to see it in simple displays of recognition and social esteem. We will need to define the terms “wisdom” and “wise” more clearly, as he himself does, without falling into the error of associating them with strength or power.