Sirach
Chapter 19
A drunken worker will never be wealthy; he who is careless with small things will soon fail.
Wine and women corrupt even the best men; whoever visits prostitutes loses all sense of shame.
He will become a victim of bugs and worms and lose his life because of his foolishness.
Silence and Speech
He who is too quick to trust others demonstrates a shallow mind; anyone who sins harms himself.
Those who indulge in pleasure will be condemned;
avoiding gossip will protect one from harm.
Never repeat what you are told, and you will avoid harm.
Report nothing to friends or enemies, and unless silence is a sin, do not reveal it to anyone.
They will listen, distrust you, and you will end up being hated.
Have you heard anything? Let it die with you; remain calm—you will not burst from it.
A fool suffers like a woman in childbirth over something he is told.
Like an arrow stuck in his thigh, such is a secret inside a fool.
Speak with your friend: perhaps he has done nothing, and if he has, he will not do it again.
Speak with your friend: perhaps he has not said anything, and if he has, he will not repeat it.
Speak with your friend because there is much slander; do not believe everything you hear.
Often, unintentional slips are made—who has never sinned with evil tongues?
Talk to your neighbor before you heap accusations on him; then leave room for the Law of the Almighty.
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Wisdom and Fear of God
All wisdom is in the fear of the Lord; in all wisdom is the fulfillment of the Law.
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Knowledge of evil is not wisdom, and prudence is not found in the advice of sinners.
There is a cleverness that is loathsome; it belongs to the evildoer who lacks wisdom.
It is better to lack sense and have the fear of the Lord than to be clever in breaking the Law.
There is a cunning that carries out injustice; it is the art of pretending to do evil.
Someone pretends to mourn and be burdened, but inside, they are only clever.
They hide their face and act deaf, but as soon as you’re distracted, they will take advantage of you.
A person doesn’t sin when they lack the means, but at the first chance, they will do wrong.
You can tell a man by his appearance; a responsible man can be recognized by his face.
A person’s style of dress shows who they are, as does their way of laughing and walking.
Commentaries
Self-control.
A lack of self-control has very negative consequences. According to Ben Sirach, self-control is crucial for managing impulses that lead to ruin: luxury, sexual appetites, gluttony, and greed. Today, more than ever, it is essential to be mindful of living a simple life amid society’s dominant consumerist trend.
Silence and Speech.
Another practical rule for living well is to be cautious about what you believe and, even more importantly, to avoid rushing to share what you hear from others. How many conflicts can be prevented by controlling how lightly we speak? If we hear something from someone close to us or a neighbor, the most practical approach is to address them privately; this is more constructive and educational for both parties. In a way, it aligns with the fraternal correction that Jesus advises his disciples (cf. Mt 18:15-18).
Wisdom and Fear of God.
The core of wisdom is respecting the Lord, and truly wise people are those who obey and follow the Lord’s Law. With this, Ben Sirach makes a clear difference between the wisdom he teaches and practices and what is often called wisdom, which is mainly just shrewdness or everyday intelligence. It may be that the clever or smart person is very far from the wisdom that comes from reverence for the Lord and following His commandments.