Balancing Act -- Kohelet/Ecclesiastes # 18

The Lion and the Ox: Two Modes of Jewish Leadership

What's the key to living a balanced life?

It's staying above your circumstances.

That way, the choice remains yours. You decide when to be soft, when to be strong, when to let go, and when to hold on fast.

You are above definition, because human greatness cannot be pinned down to any one definition.

Don't make the mistake of defining yourself, or others, by actions. While actions are an expression of where you may be today, they don't truly reflect what you can be tomorrow.

Ecclesiastes 7:15-20

15) In my own brief span of life, I have seen both these things: sometimes a good man perishes in spite of his goodness, and sometimes a wicked one endures in spite of his wickedness.

16) So don’t overdo goodness and don’t act the wise man to excess, or you may be dumfounded.

17) Don’t overdo wickedness and don’t be a fool, or you may die before your time.

18) It is best that you grasp the one without letting go of the other, for one who fears God will do his duty by both.

19) Wisdom is more of a stronghold to a wise man than ten magnates that a city may contain.

20) For there is not one good man on earth who does what is best and doesn’t err.

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