Ecclesiastes 7:11-18

¹¹Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for you do not enquire in wisdom concerning this.

¹²Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and there is an advantage by it to them that see the sun.

¹³For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: and the excellence of the knowledge of wisdom will give life to him that has it.

¹⁴Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?

¹⁵In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider, I say, God also has caused the one to agree with the other for this reason, that man should find nothing after him.

¹⁶I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

¹⁷Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.

¹⁸Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.