✶Gnosis
← Contents
Theme
131 / 174

Listen

Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

The Apocrypha (Deuterocanonical Books) · 131 of 174

Sirach 19

A labouring man that A is given to drunkenness shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little.

Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: and he that cleaveth to harlots will become impudent.

Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a bold man shall be taken away.

He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.

Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.

He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.

Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.

Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men’s lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not.

For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.

If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.

A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.

As an arrow that sticketh in a man’s thigh, so is a word within a fool’s belly.

Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done it, that he do it no more.

Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.

Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.

There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?

Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry, give place to the law of the most High.

The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted [of him,] and wisdom obtaineth his love.

The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.

The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of his omnipotency.

If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him.

The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence.

There is a wickedness, and the same an abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom.

He that hath small understanding, and feareth God, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the law of the most High.

There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; and there is one that turneth aside to make judgment appear; and there is a wise man that justifieth in judgment.

There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,

Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware.

And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil.

A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.

A man’s attire, and excessive laughter, and gait, shew what he is.

Asked of Guide

Why does Sirach warn so often about speaking—what harm does loose talk do here?

Sirach shows speech as an action that shapes relationships and consequences: loose talk brings slander, breaks trust, and makes friends into enemies—“For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.” The chapter pairs this practical warning with images of internal damage: words lodged in the foolish are like an arrow in the thigh, causing ongoing pain and foolish laboring over a thing.

Speech also reveals character and links to wisdom and fear of the Lord; restraint is ethical and spiritual. The book of Proverbs makes the same claim about the tongue as a moral instrument, saying the self-controlled speaker avoids strife and gains life, which echoes Sirach’s insistence that “He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife.”

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.