Sirach
Chapter 8
Caution in Relationships With Others
Do not argue with a powerful man, lest you fall into his hands.
Do not quarrel with a rich man, lest he use his influence against you.
Do not argue with a talkative person; do not add fuel to his fire.
Do not joke with an ignorant man for fear your ancestors will be insulted.
Do not offend the man who repents of his sins; remember that we all deserve punishment.
Do not despise an old man, because we will all grow old.
Do not rejoice at anyone’s death; remember that we all will die.
Learning From Elders
Do not neglect the teachings of the wise; apply yourself diligently to their precepts. Through them, you will learn how to live and how to serve the great.
Do not set aside the teachings of elders, for they also learned from their forebears; they will broaden your understanding and help you respond appropriately at the right moment.
Dealing with People
Avoid provoking the sinner for fear of being burned by his flames.
Do not irritate the angry man because he might twist your words for his benefit.
Do not lend to those more powerful than you; if you have lent anything, treat it as lost.
Do not guarantee beyond your ability to pay; if you have, be prepared to settle.
Do not go to court against a judge, as his position will favor his judgment.
Do not travel with an adventurer, lest he impose on you and, doing as he pleases, cause both of you to suffer foolishly.
Do not argue with a hot-tempered person or get involved with him alone; he cares little for blood, and when he sees you defenseless, he will attack you.
Avoid seeking advice from a fool because he won’t keep quiet about what you say.
Do not do anything that should be kept secret in front of a stranger because you don’t know how he will react.
Do not share your secrets with anyone; he won’t thank you for it.
Commentaries
Caution in Relationships With Others.
A hallmark of the wise man is caution and prudence in his relationships with others. A good relationship brings benefits, but a bad one can harm a man who is not careful; therefore, getting into a fight with a powerful or wealthy person could be fatal. Stopping to talk to a foul-mouthed person is a waste of time, as is despising an elderly or dying person, which, although it does not cause material harm, does cause moral damage to the image or reputation of the wise man.
Learning From Elders.
This is the oldest form of learning and mentoring. The belief is that the elders of the community “listened to their parents,” meaning they are the living oral tradition of the community and, therefore, teach us aloud what we need to know to live well.
Dealing with People.
This section emphasizes the importance of exercising caution and prudence in relationships with others. One should avoid acting impulsively; first, it is essential to observe the person and evaluate the potential benefits or harms that their relationship might bring. These are effective criteria, almost always based on the principle of advantage/disadvantage or benefit/harm; however, note that it does not refer to economic or material gains, but rather to the possibility of complicating our lives or making them a little happier and more manageable, depending on the kind of people around us and the relationships we build.