Sirach 22

¹ The sluggard is like a stone in the mud; everyone hisses at his disgrace.

² The sluggard is like a lump of dung; whoever touches him wipes his hands.

³ An unruly child is a disgrace to its father; if it be a daughter she brings him to poverty.

⁴ A thoughtful daughter becomes a treasure to her husband, a shameless one is her father's grief.

⁵ A hussy shames her father and her husband; by both she is despised.

⁶ Like a song in time of mourning is inopportune talk, but lashes and discipline are at all times wisdom.

⁷ Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken pot, or like disturbing a man in the depths of sleep;

⁸ He talks with a slumberer who talks with a fool, for when it is over, he will say, "What was that?"

⁹ Weep over the dead man, for his light has gone out; weep over the fool, for sense has left him.

¹⁰ Weep but a little over the dead man, for he is at rest; but worse than death is the life of a fool.

¹¹ Seven days of mourning for the dead, but for the wicked fool a whole lifetime.

¹² Speak but seldom with the stupid man, be not the companion of a brute;

¹³ Beware of him lest you have trouble and be spattered when he shakes himself; Turn away from him and you will find rest and not be wearied by his lack of sense.

¹⁴ What is heavier than lead, and what is its name but "Fool"?

¹⁵ Sand and salt and an iron mass are easier to bear than a stupid man.

¹⁶ Masonry bonded with wooden beams is not loosened by an earthquake; Neither is a resolve constructed with careful deliberation shaken in a moment of fear.

¹⁷ A resolve that is backed by prudent understanding is like the polished surface of a smooth wall.

¹⁸ Small stones lying on an open height will not remain when the wind blows; Neither can a timid resolve based on foolish plans withstand fear of any kind.

¹⁹ One who jabs the eye brings tears: he who pierces the heart bares its feelings.

²⁰ He who throws stones at birds drives them away, and he who insults a friend breaks up the friendship.

²¹ Should you draw a sword against a friend, despair not, it can be undone.

²² Should you speak sharply to a friend, fear not, you can be reconciled. But a contemptuous insult, a confidence broken, or a treacherous attack will drive away any friend.

²³ Make fast friends with a man while he is poor; thus will you enjoy his prosperity with him. In time of trouble remain true to him, so as to share in his inheritance when it comes.

²⁴ Before flames burst forth an oven smokes; so does abuse come before bloodshed.

²⁵ From a friend in need of support no one need hide in shame;

²⁶ But from him who brings harm to his friend all will stand aloof who hear of it.

²⁷ Who will set a guard over my mouth, and upon my lips an effective seal, That I may not fail through them, that my tongue may not destroy me?