Book of Sirach

"Concealed wisdom and hidden treasure: what good are these? The man who conceals his stupidity is better than one who conceals his wisdom."

"Have you sinned, my son? Do not do it again and beg forgiveness for your past sins. Escape from sin as you would from a snake; if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like those of a lion and destroy human lives."

"Whoever hates correction goes the way of sinners; he who fears the Lord turns to him in his heart."

"The meeting of sinners is like a pile of rope which will go up in fire and flames. The path of sinners is well paved but it ends in the fiery abyss."

"He who keeps the Law is in control of his thoughts; the fear of the Lord brings wisdom."

"The man who is not clever will never be taught; but there is a cleverness which leads to bitterness. The wise man’s knowledge spreads out like a flood and his advice is like a spring."

"If an educated man hears a wise saying he values it and adds another. If the good-for nothing hears it he is annoyed and tosses it over his shoulder."

"Listening outside doors reveals a bad upbringing, the upright man would be ashamed of doing so."

"Strangers speak thoughtlessly of everything, while wise men’s words are carefully weighed. The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart."

"When the godless man curses his opponent, the curse descends on himself. The slanderer taints himself and makes himself hated by all around him."

"Weep for the dead man since the light has deserted him, weep for the fool because understanding has deserted him. Cry less for the dead man; he has found his rest but the fool’s life is worse than death."

"Mourning the dead lasts seven days, but it lasts a lifetime for the fool and godless man."

"Win your neighbor’s confidence when he is poor so that you may enjoy his goods with him when he grows rich; be loyal in his hour of trouble and you will win, in the end, a share in his inheritance."

"Children, learn how to control your language; if you are able to watch over it, you will not be taken by surprise."

"The sinner will be caught in his own words, as happens to the proud man and to him who curses."

"Remember your father and mother when you are sitting in the company of the great, lest you forget yourself in their presence and act like a fool. Then you would wish you had never been born, and curse the day of your birth."

"Those who obey me will not be put to shame; those who serve me will not fall into sin. All this is in the Bible, the Testament of the Most High God, the book of the Law which Moses entrusted to us, the inheritance of the congregations of Israel. This Law feeds the springs of wisdom, like the Pishon or Tigris in the season of fruit. Waters overflowing with understanding come from it, as from the Euphrates and Jordan at harvest time; the floods of instruction run like the Nile or the Gihon in time of vintage."

"Three things delight me and are delightful to God and people: agreement between brothers, friendship between neighbors, and perfect harmony between husband and wife."

"There are three kinds of persons whom I detest and whose existence I cast away from me: a poor man full of pride, a rich man who is a liar, and an adulterous old man who is a fool."

"I think of nine things which I consider happy and a tenth to which I will also refer: the man who finds his happiness in his children; the man who sees the ruin of his enemies in his lifetime. Happy the man who lives with a sensible wife; he who does not plow with a donkey and ox; he who has done no wrong in speech; he who does not serve an unworthy master. Happy he who has acquired good sense and is able to speak before an attentive audience!"

"Great is he who has gained wisdom, but no one surpasses the man who fears the Lord. Since the fear of the Lord excels everything, who can compare with the one who possesses it?"

"Better to live with a lion and a snake than to share a house with a wicked woman. Wickedness disfigures a woman’s appearance, it saddens the face, making her look like a bear. When her husband dines with his neighbor, he sighs bitterly, in spite of himself. All wickedness is nothing compared with a woman’s wickedness. Let her lot be that of a sinner! As a sandhill is to an old man’s feet, so is the talkative woman to her quiet husband. Do not be fooled by a woman’s beauty or fall in love with her. Expect anger, reproach and plenty of shame when the wife rules the husband. Dejected spirits, a sad face and unseen wounds, these are the work of a wicked woman. Idle hands and unsteady knees are found when a wife brings her husband no happiness. For sin began with woman and we all die because of the inheritance of the congregations of Israel. Do not let water leak out or give free rein to a wicked woman. If she does not do as you tell her, get rid of her."

"Happy the husband of a good wife, the number of his days will be doubled. A woman of character is her husband’s joy, he will live in peace all the years of his life. A good wife is the best of gifts, reserved for those who fear the Lord; rich or poor, he will have a serene heart and a happy face."

"Guard against the provocative woman and do not be surprised if she wishes to drag you into disgrace. She opens her mouth like a thirsty traveler to drink any water coming her way; she sits by any pole and opens her quiver to every arrow."

"A wife’s grace gladdens her husband and her prudence refreshes his body. A wife who knows how to be silent is a gift from the Lord; the well-trained wife is invaluable. A modest wife is a favor among favors; the chaste wife is priceless. Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the enchantment of a good wife in a well-kept house. Like the light which shines from the sacred lampstand, such is a beautiful face in a well-shaped body. Like pillars of gold on a silver base, such are beautiful legs on sturdy feet."

"Many sin for love of gain, he who desires riches silences his conscience. Just as the stake is settled between two stones, so sin wedges itself between buying and selling. The house of him who does not keep himself firmly in the fear of the Lord will soon be knocked to the ground."

"The wise man’s conversation follows wisdom all the time. In contrast, the fool changes like the moon. When among fools, be sparing with your time; among thoughtful people, be lavish with it."

"He who betrays a secret is no longer trusted; he will no longer find reliable friends. Love your friend and be loyal; if you have revealed his secrets, go with him no longer. It is like having lost some of your relatives: his friendship to you has died. Like a bird, you have let your friend go, you will not get him back. When you open your hand, the bird flies off; do not pursue him: he is far away and has fled like a gazelle from the snare. For a wound can be bandaged and an insult forgiven, but if you betray a secret there is no hope."

"He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that setteth a stone for his neighbour, shall stumble upon it: and he that layeth a snare for another, shall perish in it."

"If you do evil, evil will befall you and you will not know from where it comes. The proud man makes use of mockery and insults, but vengeance lies in wait for him like a lion."

"Those who gloat over the downfall of good men will fall into the snare; suffering will consume them before they die."

"Grudge and wrath, these also are abominations in which sinful people excel."

"Cursed be the gossiper with his spiteful tongue. He has destroyed many who lived peacefully. The vicious tongue has demolished many and hounded them from nation to nation. It has ruined powerful cities and laid low great households. The vicious tongue has cast out wives who were beyond reproach, depriving them of the fruit of their work. Whoever listens to it will never find rest or be able to live in peace. The whip leaves a mark but the lash of the tongue shatters bones. Many have been felled by the sword but many more have perished by the tongue. Happy he who has escaped it and has not been exposed to its fury, who has not been weighed down by its yoke or been tied up in its chains."

"Lending to your neighbor is an act of mercy, going to his aid fulfills the commandments. Learn to lend to your neighbor when he is in need and, in turn, repay him any loan on time."

"Keep your word, remain faithful and you will find what you need on every occasion."

"Many a good person refuses to lend, not for any malicious reason: he is afraid of being cheated without cause. Nevertheless, be kind to those who have fallen on hard times, do not keep them waiting for your help. For the commandments’ sake, help the poor man; see his need and do not turn him away empty-handed."

"Better to spend your money on a brother or friend than to let it rust under a stone, to your discredit."

"Use your money according to the commandments of the Most High and you will find it more valuable than gold. Fill your barns with good deeds and these will rescue you from misfortune. They will fight for you against your enemy better than any strong shield and mighty spear."

"Some things you cannot live without: water, bread, clothes and a house for shelter. Better a poor man’s life in his wooden shack than lavish banquets in another man’s house. Be content with whatever you have, be it great or small; this is better than to go elsewhere and be reproached as an outsider."

"The man who loves his son makes use of the rod; later on he will be proud of him. The man who corrects his son will reap the benefit and be proud of him among his acquaintances. By instructing his son he makes his enemy envious; he will be well pleased with him in the company of his friends. If such a father dies it is as if he had not died, for he leaves behind him another man like himself. In life he had the joy of his company and he is not sorrowful when death comes. He leaves it to his family to take revenge on his enemies and to return gifts to his friends."

"The man who coddles his son will be constantly bandaging his wounds; at his every cry he will be troubled. Just as a badly broken-in horse cannot be mounted, so a spoiled son becomes insolent. Pamper your child and later he will terrify you; play with him and he will bring you sorrow. Do not laugh at him lest you have to suffer and grind your teeth. Do not let him be independent as a child, but rather bruise his ribs while he is still young, lest he grow stubborn and refuse to obey. Be strict with your son and persevere in this, so as not to suffer because of his misconduct."

"Better a poor man healthy and fit, than a rich man tormented in body. Health and vigor are worth more than gold, a robust body, more than great wealth. No riches are preferable to physical wellbeing, and no joy is greater than a cheerful heart."

"Jealousy and anger shorten your life; worry makes you old before the time."

"He who loves gold cannot be righteous; whoever runs after gain will be led astray. Many have been ruined because of gold; disgrace went to meet them. Gold is a snare for those who are possessed by love of it. The senseless will be caught in it."

"Happy is the rich man who has not sinned in this way and has not gone after gold! Who is he? Let us say: Fortunate man! For he has given a wonderful example. Who has been tested in this and found perfect? He has reason to be proud. Who could have sinned but resisted, who could have done wrong and did not do it? His fortune is firmly established and the assembly will acknowledge his generosity."

"Are you seated at a lavish banquet? Don’t be over-ready to eat and don’t say, “What a feast!” Remember that a greedy eye is an evil thing. What is worse than such an eye? That is why it was condemned to weep. Do not stretch out your hand to everything you see or be quick in reaching for a dish. Judge the needs of your fellow guest by your own and in all things act prudently. Eat what is set before you like an educated person and don’t be a glutton, lest you be detested. Like a well-mannered man, be the first to stop; don’t be voracious if you are to avoid difficulties. If important people are present, do not be the first to serve yourself. A little is sufficient for a well-bred person; your breathing moreover will be easier when you go to bed. Healthy sleeping is for the moderate eater. He rises early and feels fit! Sleeplessness and stomach trouble attend the overindulgent. If you are obliged to eat too much, go off and vomit and you will be at ease. Listen to me, my friend, and do not neglect what I say; in the end you will see the truth of it. Be moderate in all that you do and you will be without illness."

"Do not try to show how much wine you can take, for wine has been the ruin of many. As the furnace tests the temper of steel, so wine proves hearts and makes proud men quarrel. Wine is life for man if taken in moderation. What is life without wine? Wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind, if taken moderately and at the right time. But if taken to excess it brings bitterness of soul, excitement and a fumbling step. Drunkenness inflames the anger of a stupid person to the point of scandal. It reduces his strength and brings him blows. Do not reproach a neighbor during a wine feast, and don’t look down on him when he is merry; do not speak harshly to him or annoy him by asking him to settle a debt."

"Whoever fears the Lord will accept his correction, and those who rise at dawn will win his favor. The man who follows his Law will be nourished by it, but the hypocrite will find it a stumbling block. Those who fear the Lord will please him and their good deeds will shine as a light."

"The sinner refuses correction and excuses himself for doing what he wants."

"A person of judgment reflects beforehand; the stubborn and proud man goes ahead without worrying about anything. Never act without first reflecting, and you will have no regrets."