How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #4
Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the one who possesses it. (NRSV 7:11-12)
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. (KJV 7:11-12)
This is pretty simple. Wisdom can help stop you from ruining yourself or being ruined by someone else. And it can also help enhance life—it lets you enjoy what's really there instead of running after pipe-dreams.
Quote #5
In my vain life I have seen everything; there are righteous people who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked people who prolong their life in their evildoing. Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself? Do not be too wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time? It is good that you should take hold of the one, without letting go of the other; for the one who fears God shall succeed with both. Wisdom gives strength to the wise more than ten rulers that are in a city. Surely there is no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning. (NRSV 7:15-20)
All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. (KJV 7:15-20)
Don't be too wise… interesting, but that's a wise piece of advice (or it's supposed to be). It's like saying "Don't stare into the sun." You need to still be able to enjoy life, and can't just be concerned with understanding it, since you never can really understand all or probably even most of it. But wisdom also gives you the strength you need to keep on going. It's like Gatorade for the heart and mind.
Quote #6
All this I have tested by wisdom; I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me. That which is, is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my mind to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the sum of things, and to know that wickedness is folly and that foolishness is madness. (NRSV 7:23-25)
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness. (KJV 7:23-25)
Part of wisdom is knowing that you can't be totally wise. The true nature of things is always going to be beyond you—too deep or too far off. You can content yourself with knowing what an utter waste of time folly and wickedness are, though.