The Discipline of Children
1 He who loves his son will continue to whip him, so that he may have joy from him in the end. 2 He who disciplines his son will benefit from him, and will brag about him among his acquaintances. 3 He who teaches his son will provoke his enemy to jealousy. Before friends, he will be delighted with him. 4 His father dies, and it is as though he had not died, for he has left one behind him like himself. 5 In his life, he saw his son and was glad. When he died, it was without regret. 6 He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one to repay kindness to his friends.
7 He who overindulges his son will bind up his wounds. His heart will be troubled at every cry. 8 An unbroken horse becomes stubborn. An unrestrained son becomes headstrong. 9 Pamper your child, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will grieve you. 10 Don’t laugh with him, in case you have sorrow with him, and you grind your teeth in the end. 11 Give him no freedom in his youth, and don’t ignore his foolish acts. 12 Bend his neck in his youth, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, so that he does not become stubborn, and disobey you, bringing sorrow to your soul. 13 Discipline your son, and give him work, so that his shameless behavior is not an offense to you.
The Value of Health
14 A poor man who is healthy and fit is better than a rich man whose body is afflicted. 15 Health and fitness are better than all gold, and a strong body better than wealth without measure. 16 There is no wealth better than health of body. There is no gladness greater than the joy of the heart. 17 Death is better than a bitter life, and eternal rest than an ongoing sickness.
18 Good things poured out on a mouth that is closed are like food offerings laid on a grave. 19 What does an offering profit an idol? For it can’t eat or smell. So it is with anyone who is punished by the Lord, 20 seeing with his eyes and groaning, like a eunuch embracing a virgin and groaning.
Cheerfulness and Freedom from Anxiety
21 Don’t give your soul to sorrow. Don’t make yourself suffer deliberately. 22 Gladness of heart is the life of a man. Cheerfulness of a man lengthens his days. 23 Love your own soul, and comfort your heart. Keep sorrow far away from you, for sorrow has destroyed many, and there is no profit in it. 24 Envy and anger shorten life. Anxiety brings old age before its time. 25 Those who are cheerful and joyful will benefit from their food.
Texts in conversation
Compare Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 30:12 and Augustine, City of God 22.22
Deuterocanon · Early Christian
Summary
Passages
Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 30:12
Deuterocanon · Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticusand you grind your teeth in the end. 11 Give him no freedom in his youth,
and don’t ignore his foolish acts. 12 Bend his neck in his youth,
and beat him on the sides while he is a child,
so that he does not become stubborn,
and disobey you,
bringing sorrow to your soul. 13 Discipline your son,
and give him work,
so that his shameless behavior is not an offense to you. 14 A poor man who is healthy and fit
is better than a rich man whose body is afflicted.
Augustine, City of God 22.22
Early Christian · On the City of God Against the PagansReferences
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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