Sirach 30

¹ He who loves his son chastises him often, that he may be his joy when he grows up.

² He who disciplines his son will benefit from him, and boast of him among his intimates.

³ He who educates his son makes his enemy jealous, and shows his delight in him among his friends.

⁴ At the father's death, he will seem not dead, since he leaves after him one like himself,

⁵ Whom he looks upon through life with joy, and even in death, without regret:

⁶ The avenger he leaves against his foes, and the one to repay his friends with kindness.

⁷ He who spoils his son will have wounds to bandage, and will quake inwardly at every outcry.

⁸ A colt untamed turns out stubborn; a son left to himself grows up unruly.

⁹ Pamper your child and he will be a terror for you, indulge him and he will bring you grief.

¹⁰ Share not in his frivolity lest you share in his sorrow, when finally your teeth are clenched in remorse.

¹¹ Give him not his own way in his youth, and close not your eyes to his follies.

¹² Bend him to the yoke when he is young, thrash his sides while he is still small, Lest he become stubborn, disobey you, and leave you disconsolate.

¹³ Discipline your son, make heavy his yoke, lest his folly humiliate you.

¹⁴ Better a poor man strong and robust, than a rich man with wasted frame.

¹⁵ More precious than gold is health and well-being, contentment of spirit than coral.

¹⁶ No treasure greater than a healthy body; no happiness, than a joyful heart!

¹⁷ Preferable is death to a bitter life, unending sleep to constant illness.

¹⁸ Dainties set before one who cannot eat are like the offerings placed before a tomb.

¹⁹ What good is an offering to an idol that can neither taste nor smell?

²⁰ So it is with the afflicted man who groans at the good things his eyes behold!

²¹ Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding;

²² Gladness of heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days.

²³ Distract yourself, renew your courage, drive resentment far away from you; For worry has brought death to many, nor is there aught to be gained from resentment.

²⁴ Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings on premature old age.

²⁵ One who is cheerful and gay while at table benefits from his food.