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Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 37
Sir
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Chapter 37
False friends
1
Any friend will say, ‘I am your friend too’, but some friends are only friends in name.
2
Is it not a deadly sorrow, when a comrade or a friend turns enemy?
3
O evil inclination, why were you created, to cover the earth with deceit?
4
One sort of comrade takes advantage of his friend’s good fortune, but in time of trouble turns against him.
5
Another sort of comrade shares his friend’s hardships out of concern, when it comes to a fight, he springs to arms.
6
Do not forget the friend who fought your battles, do not put him out of mind once you are rich.
Advisers
7
Any adviser will offer advice, but some are governed by self-interest.
8
Beware of a man who offers advice, first find out what he wants himself-since his advice coincides with his own interest-in case he has designs on you
9
and tells you, ‘You are on the right road’, but stands well clear to see what will happen to you.
10
Do not consult a man who looks at you askance, conceal your plans from people jealous of you.
11
Do not consult a woman about her rival, or a coward about war, a merchant about prices, or a buyer about selling, a mean man about gratitude, or a selfish man about kindness, a lazy fellow about any sort of work, or a casual worker about finishing a job, an idle servant about a major undertaking-do not rely on these for any advice.
12
But constantly have recourse to a devout man, whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul matches your own, and who, if you go wrong, will be sympathetic.
13
Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that;
14
since a man’s soul often forewarns him better than seven watchmen perched on a watchtower.
15
And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps in the truth.
True and false wisdom
16
Reason must be the beginning of every activity, reflection must come before any undertaking.
17
Thoughts are rooted in the heart, and this sends out four branches:
18
good and evil, life and death, and always mistress of them all is the tongue.
19
Think of a clever man who teaches many people, but does no good at all to himself.
20
Think of a man, a ready enough speaker, yet he is detested and will end up by starving,
21
not having won the favour of the Lord, and being destitute of all wisdom.
22
Think of a man who is wise in his own eyes, and the fruits of his understanding are, if you take his word for it, certain.
23
The truly wise will instruct his own people, the fruits of his understanding are certain.
24
This wise man will be filled with blessing, and those who see him will call him happy.
25
A man’s life lasts a number of days, but the days of Israel are beyond counting.
26
The wise man will earn confidence among his people, his name will live for ever.
Moderation
27
My son, in the course of your life test your constitution, and do not allow it what you see is harmful to it;
28
for everything does not suit everybody, nor does everybody take pleasure in everything.
29
Do not be insatiable over any delicacy, do not be greedy over food,
30
for overeating leads to sickness, and gluttony brings on biliousness.
31
Many have died of gluttony; beware of this and you will prolong your life.
Chapters of Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
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