Scrutatio

Giovedi, 28 marzo 2024 - San Castore di Tarso ( Letture di oggi)

Sirach 31


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1The sleeplessness brought by wealth makes a person lose weight, the worry it causes drives awaysleep.2The worries of the daytime prevent you from sleeping, like a serious il ness, they keep sleep at bay.3The rich for ever toils, piling up money, and then, leaving off, he is gorged with luxuries;4the poor for ever toils, barely making a living, and then, leaving off, is poorer than ever.5No one who loves money can easily avoid sinning, whoever pursues profit wil be corrupted by it.6Gold has been the ruin of many; their coming destruction was self-evident,7since it is a snare for those who sacrifice to it and stupid people al get caught in it.8Happy the rich who is found to be blameless and does not go chasing after gold.9Who is he, so that we can congratulate him, for he has achieved marvels among his fellows?10Who has been through this test and emerged perfect? He may wel be proud of that! Who has had thechance to sin and has not sinned, had the chance to do wrong and has not done it?11His fortune wil be firmly based and the assembly wil acclaim his generosity.12If you are sitting down to a lavish table, do not display your greed, do not say, 'What a lot to eat!'13Remember, it is bad to have a greedy eye. Is any creature more wicked than the eye? - That is why itis always weeping!14Do not reach out for anything your host has his eye on, do not jostle him at the dish.15Judge your fel ow-guest's needs by your own, be thoughtful in every way.16Eat what is offered you like a well brought-up person, do not wolf your food or you wil earn dislike.17For politeness' sake be the first to stop; do not act the glutton, or you will give offence,18and if you are sitting with a large party, do not help yourself before the others do.19A little is quite enough for a wel -bred person; his breathing is easy when he lies in bed.20A moderate diet ensures sound sleep, one gets up early, in the best of spirits. Sleeplessness,biliousness and gripe are what the glutton has to endure.21If you are forced to eat too much, get up, go and vomit, and you will feel better.22Listen to me, my child, do not disregard me, eventually you wil see the force of my words. Bemoderate in al your activities and il ness wil never overtake you.23People praise the person who keeps a splendid table, and their opinion of his munificence is sound.24But a niggardly host provokes universal resentment and people wil retail instances of his meanness.25Do not play the valiant at your wine, for wine has been the undoing of many.26The furnace proves the temper of steel, and wine proves hearts in the drinking bouts of braggarts.27Wine gives life if drunk in moderation. What is life worth without wine? It came into being to makepeople happy.28Drunk at the right time and in the right amount, wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind.29Bitterness of soul comes of wine drunk to excess out of temper or bravado.30Drunkenness excites the stupid to a fury to his own harm, it reduces his strength while leading toblows.31Do not provoke your fel ow-guest at a wine feast, do not make fun of him when he is enjoying himself, do not take him to task or annoy him by reclaiming money owed.