Do not be wicked overmuch, nor become foolish. Why should you die when it is not your time?

Lest a person get off balance and take the wrong view of proper righteousness and wisdom, Solomon went on to warn against ‘becoming wicked overmuch.’ Imperfection, of course, should be accepted by all of us as a reality. The apostle John wrote: “If we make the statement: ‘We have no sin,’ we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) We therefore must resign ourselves to falling short in many respects. However, a person must be careful that he does not pass over wrongdoing lightly, excusing himself with the words, ‘Well, after all, I’m a sinner.’ While a person can enjoy life, he should be careful not to cast off all restraints. Calamity is in store for the one who acts the part of a fool, thinking that he is above law and correction. The person who pursues an unbridled course may experience serious problems and even die prematurely.