Sir 22
1
A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, and every one will hiss him out to his
disgrace.
2
A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: every man that takes it up
will shake his hand.
3
An evilnurtured man is the dishonour of his father that engendered him: and a foolish
daughter is born to his loss.
4
A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that lives dishonestly
is her father’s heaviness.
5
She that is bold dishonors both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise
her.
6
A tale out of season is as musick in mourning: but stripes and correction of wisdom
are never out of time.
7
Whoso teaches a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together, and as he who wakes
one from a sound sleep.
8
He who tells a tale to a fool speaks to one in a slumber: when he has told his tale,
he will say, What is the matter?
9
If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of
their parents.
10
But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility
of their kindred.
11
Weep for the dead, for he has lost the light: and weep for the fool, for he wants
understanding: make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of
the fool is worse than death.
12
Seven days do men mourn for him whom is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man all
the days of his life.
13
Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him whom has no understanding: beware of
him, lest you have trouble, and you shall never be defiled with his fooleries: depart
from him, and you shall find rest, and never be disquieted with madness.
14
What is heavier than lead? and what is its name, but a fool?
15
Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear, than a man without understanding.
16
As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking: so
the heart that is stablished by advised counsel shall fear at no time.
17
A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plaistering on the wall
of a gallery.
18
Pales set on an high place will never stand against the wind: so a fearful heart in
the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.
19
He who pricks the eye will make tears to fall: and he who pricks the heart makes it
to shew her knowledge.
20
Whoso casts a stone at the birds frayeth them away: and he who reproaches his friend
breaks friendship.
21
Though you drew a sword at your friend, yet despair not: for there may be a returning
to favour.
22
If you have opened your mouth against your friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation:
except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound:
for for these things every friend will depart.
23
Be faithful to your neighbour in his poverty, that you may rejoice in his prosperity:
abide steadfast to him in the time of his trouble, that you may be heir with him in
his heritage: for a mean estate is not always to be contemned: nor the rich that is
foolish to be had in admiration.
24
As the vapour and smoke of a furnace goes before the fire; so reviling before blood.
25
I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither will I hide myself from him.
26
And if any evil happen to me by him, every one that hears it will beware of him.
27
Who shall set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of wisdom upon my lips, that I fall
not suddenly by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?