Ecclesiastes 7:15-24

15In my futile life I have seen everything: someone righteous perishes in spite of his righteousness, and someone wicked lives long in spite of his evil.

16Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

17Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

18It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them.

19Wisdom makes the wise person stronger than ten rulers of a city.

20There is certainly no one righteous on the earth who does good and never sins.

21Don’t pay attention to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you,

22for in your heart you know that many times you yourself have cursed others.

23I have tested all this by wisdom. I resolved, “I will be wise,” but it was beyond me.

24What exists is beyond reach and very deep. Who can discover it?