15All this have I seen in my days of vanity. There are righteous men who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked men who live long in their wickedness.
16Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself over-wise! Why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17Be not overmuch wicked; neither be thou a fool! Why shouldst thou die before thy time?
18It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yea, also, from that withdraw not thy hand. For he that feareth God shall escape all those things.
19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city.
20Truly there is not a righteous man upon the earth who doeth good and sinneth not.
21Give no heed to all the words which are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee!
22For many times thine own heart knoweth also that even thou thyself hast cursed others.
23All this have I tried by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.
24That which is far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25I applied my mind earnestly to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and intelligence, and to know wickedness and folly, yea, foolishness and madness.
26And I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.
27Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, putting one thing to another to find knowledge.
Ecclesiastes 7
Ecclesiastes 7:15-27