Sirach 8

¹ Contend not with an influential man, lest you fall into his power.

² Quarrel not with a rich man, lest he pay out the price of your downfall; For gold has dazzled many, and perverts the character of princes.

³ Dispute not with a man of railing speech, heap no wood upon his fire.

⁴ Be not too familiar with an unruly man, lest he speak ill of your forebears.

⁵ Shame not a repentant sinner; remember, we all are guilty.

⁶ Insult no man when he is old, for some of us, too, will grow old.

⁷ Rejoice not when a man dies; remember, we are all to die.

⁸ Spurn not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with their proverbs; From them you will acquire the training to serve in the presence of princes.

⁹ Reject not the tradition of old men which they have learned from their fathers; From it you will obtain the knowledge how to answer in time of need.

¹⁰ Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest you be consumed in his flaming fire.

¹¹ Let not the impious man intimidate you; it will set him in ambush against you.

¹² Lend not to one more powerful than yourself; and whatever you lend, count it as lost.

¹³ Go not surety beyond your means; think any pledge a debt you must pay.

¹⁴ Contend not at law with a judge, for he will settle it according to his whim.

¹⁵ Travel not with a ruthless man, lest he weigh you down with calamity; For he will go his own way straight, and through his folly you will perish with him.

¹⁶ Provoke no quarrel with a quick-tempered man, nor ride with him through the desert, For bloodshed is nothing to him; when there is no one to help you, he will destroy you.

¹⁷ Take no counsel with a fool, for he can keep nothing to himself.

¹⁸ Before a stranger do nothing that should be kept secret, for you know not what it will engender.

¹⁹ Open your heart to no man, and banish not your happiness.