His knowledge outran his ability to put it into practice. In this we find that we who come after him are very much like him indeed. Some things are just too good to be done silently all the time. Worship is one of those things. Even the wise sometimes do stupid things out of love for the wrong people.
Faithfulness is more important than ritual and buildings.
If you want timeless truths, look to the master of the form. Dip into Proverbs.