Why Mention Righteousness?

Proverbs 11:5 (KJV) The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

As I read this chapter I was struck by the repeated reference to righteousness.  I started counting and came up with thirteen times some form of the word was used.  That does not include such words as “perfect” which is used in this verse.

The reason this gets my attention is that there are so many people who claim that it is impossible to be righteous.  If it is impossible then why is it referred to so frequently?  This chapter, and many others, assume that living an upright moral life is within our reach.  It is assumed that we make decisions to live this way.  Yet there are whole theological systems that say it is impossible.

So?  The older I get the more questions I have about some of the traditions and customs we have that we substitute for what the Bible actually says.  Read and absorb what God says before you consult the gurus.