10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this. 11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun. 12 For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner. 13 Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent? 14 In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him. 15 In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness. 16 Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings. 19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–19
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12 Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished? 13 And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness: 14 The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks…
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Ecclesiastes 8:4–6
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