Sirach Chapter 22

ON LAZINESS AND FOOLISHNESS

1 The sluggard is like a filthy stone;

everyone hisses at his disgrace.

2The sluggard is like a lump of dung;

whoever touches it shakes it off the hands.

3An undisciplined child is a disgrace to its father;

if it be a daughter, she brings him to poverty.

4A thoughtful daughter obtains a husband of her own;

a shameless one is her father’s grief.

5A hussy shames her father and her husband;

she is despised by both.

6Like music at the time of mourning is ill-timed talk,

but lashes and discipline are at all times wisdom.

9Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken pot,

or rousing another from deep sleep.

10Whoever talks with a fool talks to someone asleep;

when it is over, he says, “What was that?”

11Weep over the dead, for their light has gone out;

weep over the fool, for sense has left him.

Weep but less bitterly over the dead, for they are at rest;

worse than death is the life of a fool.

12Mourning for the dead, seven days—

but for the wicked fool, a whole lifetime.

13Do not talk much with the stupid,

or visit the unintelligent.

Beware of them lest you have trouble

and be spattered when they shake themselves off.

Avoid them and you will find rest

and not be wearied by their lack of sense.

14What is heavier than lead?

What is its name but “Fool”?

15Sand, salt, and an iron weight

are easier to bear than the stupid person.

16A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building

is not loosened by an earthquake;

So the mind firmly resolved after careful deliberation

will not be afraid at any time.

17The mind solidly backed by intelligent thought

is like a stucco decoration on a smooth wall.

18Small stones lying on an open height

will not remain when the wind blows;

So a timid mind based on foolish plans

cannot stand up to fear of any kind.