The Right Time to Speak
1 There is a correction that comes at the wrong time, and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent. 2 How good it is to correct someone rather than be angry. 3 He who confesses will be kept from harm. 4 Someone who carries out judgments with violence is like a eunuch who desires to take a virgin’s virginity. 5 There is one who keeps silent and is considered wise, and there is one who is hated for his excessive talk. 6 There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to give, and there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak. 7 A wise man will be silent until his time has come, but the braggart and fool will miss his time. 8 He who uses many words will be detested. He who takes authority for himself will be hated for it.
Appearances and Reversals
9 There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes, and there is a gain that turns to loss. 10 There is a gift that will not profit you, and there is a gift that pays back double. 11 There are losses because of glory, and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low position. 12 There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again seven times over. 13 He who is wise in words will make himself beloved, but the jokes of fools will be wasted.
14 The gift of a fool will not profit you, for he looks for repayment many times instead of one. 15 He will give little and insult much. He will open his mouth like a town crier. Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back. Such a person is a hateful man. 16 The fool will say, “I have no friend, and I have no thanks for my good deeds. Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.” 17 How often, and by how many people, will he be laughed at in contempt!
Careless Words and False Shame
18 A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come quickly. 19 A graceless man is like a story told at the wrong time. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. 20 A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected, for he won’t tell it at the proper time.
21 There is one who is kept from sinning by poverty. When he rests, he will not be troubled. 22 There is one who destroys his soul through embarrassment. By a foolish expression, he will destroy it. 23 There is one who for embarrassment makes promises to his friend, and he makes him his enemy for nothing.
Lies and the Use of Wisdom
24 A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. 25 A thief is better than a man who is constantly lying, but they both will inherit destruction. 26 The end of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually.
27 He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please important men. 28 He who cultivates his land will raise his harvest high. He who pleases important men will get pardon for wrongdoing. 29 Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and turn away correction like a muzzle on the mouth. 30 What use is wisdom that is hidden, or treasure that is out of sight? 31 A man who hides his foolishness is better than a man who hides his wisdom.
Texts in conversation
Compare Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 20:8 and Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor 2.6
Deuterocanon · Early Christian
Summary
Passages
Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 20:8
Deuterocanon · Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticusand there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak. 7 A wise man will be silent until his time has come,
but the braggart and fool will miss his time. 8 He who uses many words will be detested.
He who takes authority for himself will be hated for it. 9 There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes,
and there is a gain that turns to loss. 10 There is a gift that will not profit you,
and there is a gift that pays back double.
Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor 2.6
Early Christian · PaedagogusReferences
References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.
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