Ecclesiastes 7:16 contains a statement one would not expect to find in the Bible: “Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—why destroy yourself?”
How can you be too righteous or wise?
I was reflecting on this passage in connection with the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling. There he tells us, “[If you can be] lied about and yet don’t deal in lies or being hated, don’t give way to hating . . .” In other words, don’t let the wrongs other people do pull you into wrongdoing.
At the same time, Kipling adds, “and yet don’t look to good, or act to wise . . .” This is virtually a paraphrase of Ecclesiastes 7:16. He explains the concept by using the word “look,” which reminds us of Jesus’ warnings in Matthew 6 not to do our good deeds to be seen by men.
The verse in Ecclesiastes is a bit stronger. “Don’t be too righteous.” How are we to understand this? Matthew Henry in his commentary on the whole Bible provides a very full and helpful explanation.
“Be not righteous overmuch,” Ecclesiastes 7:16.
In the acts of righteousness govern thyself by the rules of prudence, and be not transported, no, not by a zeal for God, into any intemperate heats or passions, or any practices unbecoming thy character or dangerous to thy interests.
Note, There may be over-doing in well-doing. Self-denial and mortification of the flesh are good but if we prejudice our health by them, and unfit ourselves for the service of God, we are righteous overmuch. To reprove those that offend is good, but to cast that pearl before swine, who will turn again and rend us, is to be righteous overmuch.
“Make not thyself over-wise.”
Be not opinionative, and conceited of thy own abilities. Set not up for a dictator, nor pretend to give law to, and give judgment upon, all about thee. Set not up for a critic, to find fault with every thing that is said and done, nor busy thyself in other men’s matters, as if thou knewest every thing and couldst do any thing.
Why shouldst thou destroy thyself, as fools often do by meddling with strife that belongs not to them? Why shouldst thou provoke authority, and run thyself into the briers, by needless contradictions, and by going out of thy sphere to correct what is amiss? Be wise as serpents, beware of men.
I think this is a warning that I, as a conservative religious person, need. It’s happened to me over and over again in my life. I make some progress in life or in understanding, and it goes to my head. It becomes a tool of my own conceit.
For those who seek after an authentic moral and religious life in God, it’s good to remember: “Don’t be overly righteous or be overly wise.”