Chapter 20
The Wise Remain Silent until the Right Moment[a]
1 A rebuke on occasion can be untimely,
and a man may show wisdom by keeping silent.
2 But how much better it is to rebuke than to fume,
3 for the one who admits his faults will be preserved from disgrace.
4 Like a eunuch lusting to ravage a maiden
is the person who does what is right out of obligation.[b]
5 One man is silent and considered to be wise,
while another incurs hatred for talking too much.
6 One man keeps silent because he has nothing to say,
while another keeps quiet because he knows when to speak.
7 A wise man remains silent until the right moment,
but a boasting fool never seems aware of the proper time.
8 The one who talks too much is detested,
and the one who pretends to be an authority is hated.
[How good it is to show repentance when you are rebuked,
for you will thereby avoid deliberate sin.][c]
Disconcerting Contrasts[d]
9 There is the man who finds good fortune in adversity,
and the good fortune that may result in a loss.
10 There is the gift that profits you nothing,
and the gift that must be paid back double.
11 The search for glory may lead one man to humiliation,
while another man may rise from humble circumstances to a position of eminence.
12 A man may buy much for little
but pay for it seven times over.
The Courtesies and Discourses of Fools[e]
13 A wise man can become beloved by means of his[f] words,
but the courtesies of fools are futile.
14 The gift of a fool will profit you nothing,
[neither will that of a miser who gives solely out of obligation][g]
for he covets to receive more than he gave.
15 He gives little and criticizes much,
opening his mouth like a town crier.
He lends today and demands payment tomorrow;
such a man is detestable.
16 The fool will say, “I have no friends,
and I get no thanks for my good deeds;
17 those who eat my bread have malicious tongues.”
He will be laughed at frequently by many.
[For he did not receive honestly what he possesses,
and what he lacks is not important to him.][h]
18 A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue;
the downfall of the wicked will come just as quickly.
19 A coarse person is like an indiscreet story
that is continually on the lips of the ignorant.
20 A proverb is rejected when it comes from the lips of a fool
since he does not utter it at the proper time.
21 Poverty may prevent one from sinning;
so when he takes his rest, his conscience does not disturb him.
22 One may lose his life through false shame
or perish from fear of the opinion of a fool.
[For the latter has a foolish look.][i]
23 Another, out of shame, makes promises to a friend
and needlessly turns that friend into an enemy.
A Lie Is an Ugly Blot on Anyone[j]
24 A lie is an ugly blot on anyone
and is ever on the lips of the ignorant.
25 A thief is preferable to a habitual liar,
yet both will suffer disaster.
26 The path of a liar leads to disgrace;
his shame lasts forever.
Hidden Wisdom and Treasure Are Valueless[k]
27 A wise man advances himself by his words;
a prudent man is pleasing to the great.
28 He who tills his soil has an abundant harvest;
he who pleases the great will secure pardon for offenses.
29 Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise;
like a muzzle over the mouth they silence criticism.
30 [l]Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure—
of what value is either?
31 Better is the man who hides his folly
than one who conceals his wisdom.
[32 It is better to serve the Lord while awaiting the inevitable
than to be an ignorant helmsman of one’s own life.][m]
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:1 The wise know how to be silent. But there is also a time to respond, to explain oneself, and to excuse oneself.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:4 An “outward” act of wrongdoing can be prevented, even if by force, but not an internal act of wrongdoing (see v. 21).
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:8 Added by some early MSS.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:9 Circumstances lead to success or failure, and the wise know how to profit from everything.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:13 Rather than being a gift, certain presents are acts of guile and wickedness.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:13 His: Hebrew reads: “few.”
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:14 Added by some early MSS.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:17 Added by some early MSS.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:22 Added by some early MSS.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:24 Lies lead only to dishonor and to eternal shame. The author also discusses the evils of lying in Sir 7:13 and 25:2. See Ps 5:7; Prov 6:6-19.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:27 In order to teach others, the wise must in some way have access to the powerful; it is then, above all, that they must guard against being bought.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:30 The author stresses that wisdom must be shared with others so that it will redound to the good of all (see Mt 25:14-30).
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:32 Added by some early MSS.