Ecclesiastes 7:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not become self-righteous or wise in your own eyes, for such overreaching brings ruin.
What Does Ecclesiastes 7:16 Mean?
After noting that the righteous sometimes perish, the Preacher warns against a counterfeit of righteousness — being righteous 'over much.' This is not a license to sin but a caution against a self-made, self-impressed piety that trusts its own goodness.
To be 'over wise' is to think oneself beyond correction and beyond need of God. Such pride hollows out the very righteousness it parades and can destroy a person. True wisdom stays humble, knowing its own limits, leaning on the mercy of God rather than on the impressive figure it cuts before others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 7:16
What does Ecclesiastes 7:16 mean?
Do not become self-righteous or wise in your own eyes, for such overreaching brings ruin.