Ecclesiastes 7:16
“Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?”
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
Counter-Arguments
The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.
Related Verses
“Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?”
“Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.”
“Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.”
“Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.”
“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”