Sirach 20

20There is a reproof that is uncalled for,

Then he that is silent is wise.

He that reproveth a sinner getteth no thanks,

But let him that maketh confession be spared humiliation.

As is an eunuch that sojourneth with a virgin,

So is he that would do right with violence.

One keepeth silence, and is accounted wise,

And another is despised for his much talking.

One keepeth silence, having naught to say;

And another keepeth silence, for he seeth ⁽it is⁽ a time ⁽for silence⁽.

The wise man is silent until the ⁽proper⁽ time,

But the arrogant and the scornertake no note of the time.

*He that is abundant in word is abhorred,

And he that taketh to himself authority is hated.

Sometimes it is advantageous for a man to be in adversity,

And sometimes prosperity resulteth in harm.

Sometimes a gift there is that profiteth thee nothing,

And sometimes a gift bringeth double recompense.

Sometimes cometh loss through honour,

And sometimes honour cometh through loss.

Some buy much for little,

And some pay sevenfold.

The wise man with few words maketh himself beloved,

But the pleasantries of fools are wasted.

The gift of a fool profiteth thee nothing,

For he looketh for recompense sevenfold;

He giveth little, and upbraideth much,

And openeth his mouth like a crier;

To-day he lendeth, to-morrow he will demand it back:

Hateful is such an one to God and men.

The fool saith: ‘I have no friend,

And my good deeds receive no thanks;

They that eat my bread are evil-tongued.’

How oft—and how many there are—they laugh him to scorn.

A slip on the pavement is better than a ⁽slip⁽ of the tongue;

So doth the fall of the wicked come swiftly.

As the fat tail of a sheep, eaten without salt,

So is a word spoken out of season.

A parable from the mouth of a fool is worthless,

For he uttereth it out of season.

One, through want, is hindered from sinning,

And when he resteth he will not be troubled;

Another destroyeth his life through sense of shame,

And perisheth through his want of frankness.

And another, for shame’s sake, maketh promises to a friend,

Thus making for himself an enemy without reason.

A lie is a foul blot in a man,

It is continually ^[found^[ in the mouth of the ignorant.

Preferable is a thief to one who continually lieth,

But both shall inherit destruction.

The end of a liar is dishonour,

And his shame is ever with him.

The wise man advanceth himself by means of his words,

And a prudent man ruleth the great.

He that tilleth his land raiseth high his heap,

And he that pleaseth the great atoneth for wrong.

Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise,

And as a muzzle on the mouth turn away reproofs.

Hidden wisdom and concealed treasure,

What profit is there in either?

Better is the man that hideth his folly

Than a man that hideth his wisdom.