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The Apocrypha (Deuterocanonical Books) · 142 of 174

Sirach 30

He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, that he may have joy of him in the end.

He that chastiseth his son shall have joy in him, and shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance.

He that teacheth his son grieveth the enemy: and before his friends he shall rejoice of him.

Though his father die, yet he is as though he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.

While he lived, he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died, he was not sorrowful.

He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one that shall requite kindness to his friends.

He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; and his bowels will be troubled at every cry.

An horse not broken becometh headstrong: and a child left to himself will be wilful.

Cocker thy child, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he will bring thee to heaviness.

Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him, and lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end.

Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his follies.

Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto thee, and so bring sorrow to thine heart.

Chastise thy son, and hold him to labour, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence unto thee.

Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.

Health and good estate of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth.

There is no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart.

Death is better than a bitter life or continual sickness.

Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up are as messes of meat set upon a grave.

What good doeth the offering unto an idol? for neither can it eat nor smell: so is he that is persecuted of the Lord.

He seeth with his eyes and groaneth, as an eunuch that embraceth a virgin and sigheth.

Give not over thy mind to heaviness, and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel.

The gladness of the heart is the life of man, and the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days.

Love thine own soul, and comfort thy heart, remove sorrow far from thee: for sorrow hath killed many, and there is no profit therein.

Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness bringeth age before the time.

A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet.

Asked of Guide

Why does Sirach insist on harsh discipline for children so strongly in this chapter?

Sirach links firm discipline to long-term joy and social standing: “He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, that he may have joy of him in the end,” and a disciplined child becomes “an avenger against his enemies, and one that shall requite kindness to his friends.” The chapter treats correction and early restraint as investments that preserve family honor and spare parents future grief by preventing wilfulness and disorder.

The same chapter balances that teaching with a wider proverb ethic valuing bodily health and inner cheer: “Health and good estate of body are above all gold,” and “The gladness of the heart is the life of man.” Sirach expects discipline to produce a stable life where bodily well-being and a joyful heart can flourish; it frames correction as practical care for the child’s future welfare rather than abstract punishment.

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.