Sirach 13:21–26

21 When a rich man totters, he is steadied by friends,

but when a humble man falls, he is even pushed away by friends.

22 If a rich man slips, his helpers are many;

he speaks unseemly words, and they justify him.

If a humble man slips, they even reproach him;

he speaks sensibly, and receives no attention.

23 When the rich man speaks all are silent,

and they extol to the clouds what he says.

When the poor man speaks they say, “Who is this fellow?”

And should he stumble, they even push him down.

24 Riches are good if they are free from sin,

and poverty is evil in the opinion of the ungodly.

25 A man’s heart changes his countenance,

either for good or for evil.

26 The mark of a happy heart is a cheerful face,

but to devise proverbs requires painful thinking.