Ecclesiastes 7:16

16. Be not righteous overmuch The Hebrew is very deficient in the little words that guide thoughts and make transitions easy, such as, “also,” “therefore,” “moreover,” etc. This verse is rested on the preceding, and should be introduced by then Be not, then, etc. Remember, this is the language of prudence. Common sense makes no martyrs. They come from a loftier sentiment. It sees little good in self-denial, though much in moderation. It averages things and holds a “golden mean.” Had Koheleth foreseen how this verse was to perplex and scandalize many good men, he would hardly have had courage to write it. But he has spoken faithfully from his standpoint of simple discretion. There is some truth in this precept for all time. In this generation no men have been so popular as Mr. Lincoln, who was broad but moderate in politics, and Mr. Beecher, who is broad but moderate in religion. One need not call them the highest of the day, as statesmen or divines, but they carried the largest masses, and, to a certain degree, for their good.