As I read from the Barnes Notes Commentary, “The general drift of the writer's counsels throughout the last six chapters, and particularly in Ecclesiastes 7:1-22, points to wisdom united with the fear of God as the ‘good for man in this life.’ It is illustrated by frequent reference to, and contrast with, that evil which consists of folly allied with wickedness.” 

The Wycliffe Bible Commentary says:

“There are certain ways of living which are "better" than others. And so he gives his advice about how to find these.”

In these scriptures Solomon is defining the world of the Christian by showing its extremes and then warning us not to go toward either.  One extreme is over righteousness or what we call self-righteousness; the kind the Pharisees showed in Jesus’ day.  The other extreme, of course, is sin or wickedness.  As at least one commentary points out, Solomon is actually speaking to the wicked as he is speaking of that extreme.  Notice first what the commentaries say to the first phrase about righteousness:

--Be not righteous over much, for this will not guarantee happiness.
--Be not righteous over much-forbidding a self-made righteousness of outward performances, in which man knows not his sinfulness, and which would wrest salvation from God, instead of receiving it as the gift of His grace.
--The Pharisees in Christ's days brought on themselves the destruction of their nation and the temple by their self-seeking righteousness and pretentious wisdom.
-- There cannot be over much of the righteousness which is by faith. But there is over much of the righteousness that consists in punctiliousness as to external ordinances, when these are substituted for "the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, faith, and the love of God" (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42); and when they blind a man to his utter guiltiness.

The last comment shows that we cannot have too much true righteousness.  Clearly Solomon is speaking of self-righteousness.

Now regarding being overly wise:

--Show not thyself wise beyond measure: why wilt thou ruin thyself?
--Neither make thyself over wise presumptuously self-sufficient, as if acquainted with the whole of the divine counsels.
--Make not thyself over-wise. Be not opinionative, and conceited of thy own abilities. Set not up for a dictator, nor pretend to give law to, and give judgment upon, all about thee. Set not up for a critic, to find fault with every thing that is said and done, nor busy thyself in other men's matters, as if thou knewest every thing and couldst do any thing.

Again, one cannot be over-wise in real wisdom.  This phrase is speaking of another form of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency. It is talking of the attitude of being “holier than thou”, self-promotion and/or lording it over the congregation.

Regarding the phrase: “why shouldest thou destroy thyself”, the meaning is “make thyself desolate, so that thou shalt be obliged to stand alone.”  When one begins being self-righteous, self-sufficient, opinionated and conceited, friends and members naturally pull away.  The person becomes isolated and this can lead to bitterness.  Anyone falling into these traps is most assuredly in a backsliding mode.  One must repent of backsliding.

True wisdom and fear of God is what keeps us centered and far from the two extremes and all their snares, traps and pitfalls.  It is what keeps us to our duty and moving forward in the Salvation Process.  Notice the next three verses in this passage:

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. --Ecclesiastes 7:18-20 

Instructions - Be not over righteous or wise.  Be not over much wicked.
1) Seek Godly wisdom.
2) Fully understand the meaning of “fear and trembling.”
3) Develop and maintain your fear of God
4) Understand how churches work [Menu Item 10] and know that everyone in the Body of Christ is at different levels of spiritual maturity. 
5) Be knowledgeable of  both extremes [self-righteousness and wickedness] and avoid both by staying fully immersed in the Word of God.

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