Midrash
Kohelet Rabbah 8:11 קהלת רבה ח׳:י״א
Part of: Chapter 8
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אֲשֶׁר אֵין נַעֲשָׂה פִתְגָם, עַל יְדֵי שֶׁאָדָם חוֹטֵא וְאֵין מִדַּת הַדִּין פּוֹגַעַת בּוֹ, עַל כֵּן מָלֵא וגו', מָה אִינוּן אָמְרִין הָא רוּמַיָא עָלְלִין הָא רוּמַיָא נָפְקִין לֵית לְהוֹן מִפּוֹקִים.
“Because a sentence for an evil deed is not executed swiftly, therefore the heart of the sons of man dares to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
“Because a sentence…is not executed” – because a person sins and the attribute of justice does not afflict him, “therefore [the heart of the sons of man] dares” – what do they say? The arrogant ones enter, the arrogant ones exit, and they pay no price.
“Because a sentence for an evil deed is not executed swiftly, therefore the heart of the sons of man dares to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
“Because a sentence…is not executed” – because a person sins and the attribute of justice does not afflict him, “therefore [the heart of the sons of man] dares” – what do they say? The arrogant ones enter, the arrogant ones exit, and they pay no price.