【Sirach】Chapter 20 << Last Chapter Next Chapter >>

20:1 An admonition can be inopportune, and a man may be wise to hold his peace.

20:2 It is much better to admonish than to lose one’s temper, for one who admits his fault will be kept from disgrace.

20:3 Like a eunuch lusting for intimacy with a maiden is he who does right under compulsion.

20:4 One man is silent and is thought wise, another is talkative and is disliked.

20:5 One man is silent because he has nothing to say; another is silent, biding his time.

20:6 A wise man is silent till the right time comes, but a boasting fool ignores the proper time.

20:7 He who talks too much is detested; he who pretends to authority is hated.

20:8 Some misfortunes bring success; some things gained are a man’s loss.

20:9 Some gifts do one no good, and some must be paid back double.

20:10 Humiliation can follow fame, while from obscurity a man can lift up his head.

20:11 A man may buy much for little, but pay for it seven times over.

20:12 A wise man makes himself popular by a few words, but fools pour forth their blandishments in vain.

20:13 A gift from a rogue will do you no good, for in his eyes his one gift is equal to seven.

20:14 He gives little and criticizes often, and like a crier he shouts aloud. He lends today, he asks it back tomorrow; hateful indeed is such a man.

20:15 A fool has no friends, nor thanks for his generosity;

20:16 Those who eat his bread have an evil tongue. How many times they laugh him to scorn!

20:17 A fall to the ground is less sudden than a slip of the tongue; that is why the downfall of the wicked comes so quickly.

20:18 Insipid food is the untimely tale; the unruly are always ready to offer it.

20:19 A proverb when spoken by a fool is unwelcome, for he does not utter it at the proper time.

20:20 A man through want may be unable to sin, yet in this tranquility he cannot rest.

20:21 One may lose his life through shame, and perish through a fool’s intimidation.

20:22 A man makes a promise to a friend out of shame, and has him for his enemy needlessly.

20:23 A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is constantly on the lips of the unruly.

20:24 Better a thief than an inveterate liar, yet both will suffer disgrace;

20:25 A liar’s way leads to dishonor, his shame remains ever with him.

20:26 A wise man advances himself by his words, a prudent man pleases the great.

20:27 He who works his land has abundant crops, he who pleases the great is pardoned his faults.

20:28 Favors and gifts blind the eyes; like a muzzle over the mouth they silence reproof.

20:29 Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure ? of what value is either?

20:30 Better the man who hides his folly than the one who hides his wisdom.

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