Scrutatio

Venerdi, 29 marzo 2024 - Santi Simplicio e Costantino ( Letture di oggi)

Sirach 22


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1An idler is like a stone covered in filth, everyone whistles at his disgrace.2An idler is like a lump of dung, anyone picking it up shakes it off his hand.3It is a disgrace to have fathered a badly brought-up son, but the birth of any daughter is a loss;4a sensible daughter wil find a husband, but a shameless one is a grief to her father.5A brazen daughter puts father and mother to shame, and wil be disowned by both.6An untimely remonstrance is like music at a funeral, but a thrashing and correction are wisdom at altimes.789Teaching a fool is like gluing bits of pottery together -- you are rousing someone who is besotted withsleep.10You might as wel talk to someone sound asleep; when you have finished the fool will say, 'What'sup?'11Shed tears for the dead, who has left the light behind; shed tears for the fool, who has left his witsbehind. Shed quieter tears for the dead who is at rest, for the fool life is worse than death.12Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, for the foolish and ungodly al the days of their lives.13Do not waste many words on the stupid, do not go near a dolt. Beware of him, or you wil have troubleand be soiled by contact with him; keep away from him, and you will have peace of mind and not be exasperatedby his fol y.14What is heavier than lead, and what is its name if not 'fool'?15Sand and salt and a lump of iron are a lighter burden than a dolt.16A tie-beam bonded into a building will not be dislodged by an earthquake; so too, a heart resolvedafter due reflection will not flinch at the critical moment.17A heart founded on intel igent reflection is like a stucco decoration on a smooth wall.18Pebbles placed on top of a wal wil not stand up to the wind; no more can the heart of a fool frightenedat his own thoughts stand up to fear.19Prick an eye and you wil draw a tear, prick a heart and you reveal its feelings.20Throw stones at birds and you scare them away, reproach a friend and you destroy a friendship.21If you have drawn your sword on a friend, do not despair; there is a way back.22If you have opened your mouth against your friend, do not worry; there is hope for reconciliation; butinsult, arrogance, betrayal of secrets, and the stab in the back -- in these cases any friend is lost.23Win your neighbour's confidence when he is poor, so that you may enjoy his later good fortune withhim; stand by him in times of trouble, in order to have your share when he comes into a legacy.24Fire is heralded by the reek of the furnace and smoke, so too, bloodshed by insults.25I shal not be ashamed to shelter a friend nor shal I hide away from him,26and if evil comes to me through him, everyone who hears about it will beware of him.27Who wil set a guard on my mouth, and an efficient seal on my lips, to keep me from fal ing, and mytongue from causing my ruin?