Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 30

¹ A man who loves his son will beat him frequently so that in after years the son may be his comfort.

² A man who is strict with his son will reap the benefit, and be able to boast of him to his acquaintances.

³ A man who educates his son will be the envy of his enemy, and will be proud of him among his friends.

⁴ Even when the father dies, he might well not be dead, since he leaves his likeness behind him.

⁵ In life he has had the joy of his company, dying, he has no anxieties.

⁶ He leaves an avenger against his enemies, and a rewarder of favours for his friends.

⁷ A man who coddles his son will bandage his wounds, his heart will turn over at every shout.

⁸ A horse badly broken-in turns out stubborn, an uncontrolled son turns out headstrong.

⁹ Pamper your child, and he will give you a fright, play with him, and he will bring you sorrow.

¹⁰ Do not share his laughter, if you do not wish to share his sorrow and to end by grinding your teeth.

¹¹ Allow him no independence in childhood, and do not wink at his mistakes.

¹² Bend his neck in youth, bruise his ribs while he is a child, or else he will grow stubborn and disobedient, and hurt you very deeply.

¹³ Be strict with your son, and persevere with him, or you will rue his insolence.

¹⁴ Better a poor man healthy and fit than a rich man tormented in body.

¹⁵ Health and strength are better than any gold, a robust body than untold wealth.

¹⁶ No riches can outweigh bodily health, no enjoyment surpass a cheerful heart.

¹⁷ Better death than a wretched life, and everlasting rest than chronic illness.

¹⁸ Good things lavished on a closed mouth are like food offerings put on a grave.

¹⁹ What use is an offering to an idol which can neither eat nor smell? How describe a man pursued by the Lord’s displeasure?[*a]

²⁰ He looks and sighs as a eunuch embracing a virgin sighs.

²¹ Do not abandon yourself to sorrow, do not torment yourself with brooding.

²² Gladness of heart is life to a man, joy is what gives him length of days.

²³ Beguile your cares, console your heart, chase sorrow far away; for sorrow has been the ruin of many, and is no use to anybody.

²⁴ Jealousy and anger shorten your days, and worry brings premature old age.

²⁵ A genial heart makes a good trencherman, one who benefits from his food.