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Dhammapada · narration sample

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The Apocrypha (Deuterocanonical Books) · 138 of 174

Sirach 26

Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.

A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.

A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.

Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.

There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.

But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.

An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.

A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.

The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.

If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.

Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.

She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.

The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.

A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.

A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.

As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.

As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.

My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.

When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.

So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.

An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.

A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.

A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.

A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.

A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.

A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.

There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.

A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.

Asked of Guide

Why does Sirach call a virtuous wife a 'tower against death' for her husband?

Sirach uses sturdy, everyday images to show what a virtuous wife contributes: protection, stability, and continuity. Calling her a “tower against death” pictures a household bulwarked from ruin—her faithfulness and discretion preserve the family line and the husband’s peace of life.

The chapter ties that protection to social and moral goods: “a good wife is a good portion” and her “discretion will fatten his bones,” meaning her conduct secures prosperity and reputation. This echoes Proverbs, which also praises a capable wife as valuable and safeguarding the house (see Proverbs 31).

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.