משלי, פרק כ״ט, פסוק ט״ז

The presence of evil in society carries a destructive dynamic that inevitably leads to collapse. The prosperity of corrupt individuals and the spread of crime do not signal a permanent victory, but rather serve as a prelude to an unavoidable downfall. Commentators explore what it means for the wicked to increase. One approach suggests a simple numerical growth of corrupt individuals within society [רלב״ג, עמנואל הרומי]. The primary danger in this growing number is collaboration. When wicked people gather, they assist one another, executing crimes that a single person could never accomplish alone [רלב״ג]. Another perspective views this increase as a rise in status, where the wicked achieve power, authority, and societal success [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד]. A combined approach suggests that society suffers both a numerical increase in corrupt individuals and their simultaneous rise to positions of power [מלבי״ם, עמנואל הרומי].

As these individuals gain strength, crime naturally expands. It does not remain isolated but spreads rapidly [שטיינזלץ], fueled by the wicked whose desires and thoughts are entirely focused on doing wrong [מצודת דוד, עמנואל הרומי]. On a broader scale, a growing population of wicked people tips the scales of God's judgment toward guilt. This collective corruption threatens to bring ruin to the entire world, much like the destruction brought upon the generation of the Flood [אלשיך].

However, crime by its very nature does not build anything; it only breaks and ruins [שטיינזלץ]. Because of this destructive nature, there is a strict limit to evil. Once the sins of the wicked reach their full measure, they face certain destruction [מלבי״ם]. Those who remain righteous and refuse to be dragged into this corruption will ultimately be saved. They will witness the collapse of the wicked and find joy in justice being served [אבן עזרא, רלב״ג, מצודת דוד]. This vision is not merely physical. Even while crime is still thriving and before any actual ruin occurs, the righteous possess the insight to see the impending downfall in their mind's eye [מלבי״ם].

While the primary approach among commentators understands this downfall as happening to the wicked, a sharply contrasting view suggests the collapse refers to the righteous themselves. According to this interpretation, when the wicked multiply and rise to power, they actively scheme to cause harm. As a result, the righteous are forced into the painful position of watching their own downfall unfold [עמנואל הרומי].