16 Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 23:3–5
3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. 5 When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
Sirach 10:25–27
25 Free men will minister to a wise servant. A man who has knowledge will not complain. (WEB) 26 Don’t flaunt your wisdom in doing your work. Don’t boast in the time of your distress. (WEB) 27 Better is he who labors and abounds in all things, than he who boasts and lacks bread. (WEB)
Proverbs 3:6–8
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
Sirach 3:20–22
20 For the power of the Lord is great, and he is glorified by those who are lowly. (WEB) 21 Don’t seek things that are too hard for you, and don’t search out things that are above your strength. (WEB) 22 Think about the things that have been commanded you, for you have no need of t… (WEB)
Sirach 7:4–6
4 Don’t seek preeminence from the Lord, nor the seat of honor from the king. (WEB) 5 Don’t justify yourself in the presence of the Lord, and don’t display your wisdom before the king. (WEB) 6 Don’t seek to be a judge, lest you not be able to take away iniquities, lest perhaps yo… (WEB)
Proverbs 25:5–7
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; 7 for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you s…
Proverbs 25:26–28
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory. 28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
Sirach 6:1–3
1 Don’t become an enemy instead of a friend; for an evil name will inherit shame and reproach. So it is with the sinner who has a double tongue. (WEB) 2 Don’t exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul, that your soul not be torn in pieces like a bull. (WEB) 3 You will eat up yo… (WEB)
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