Ecclesiasticus 20

1There is a reproof that is not comely;

And there is a man that keepeth silence, and he is wise.

2How good is it to reprove, rather than to be wroth;

And he that maketh confession shall be kept back from hurt.

4As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin;

So is he that executeth judgments with violence.

5There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise;

And there is one that is hated for his much talk.

6There is one that keepeth silence, for he hath no answer to make;

And there is that keepeth silence, as knowing his time.

7A wise man will be silent till his time come;

But the braggart and fool will overpass his time.

8He that useth many words shall be abhorred;

And he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.

9There is a prosperity that a man findeth in misfortunes;

And there is a gain that turneth to loss.

10There is a gift that shall not profit thee;

And there is a gift whose recompense is double.

11There is an abasement because of glory;

And there is that hath lifted up his head from a low estate.

12There is that buyeth much for a little,

And payeth for it again sevenfold.

13He that is wise in words shall make himself beloved;

But the pleasantries of fools shall be wasted.

14The gift of a fool shall not profit thee;

For his eyes are many instead of one.

15He will give little, and upbraid much;

And he will open his mouth like a crier:

Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask it again:

Such a one is a hateful man.

16The fool will say, I have no friend,

And I have no thanks for my good deeds;

They that eat my bread are of evil tongue.

17How oft, and of how many, shall he be laughed to scorn!

18A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue;

So the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.

19A man without grace is as a tale out of season:

It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.

20A wise sentence from a fool’s mouth will be rejected;

For he will not speak it in its season.

21There is that is hindered from sinning through want;

And when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.

22There is that destroyeth his soul through bashfulness;

And by a foolish countenance he will destroy it.

23There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend;

And he maketh him his enemy for nothing.

24A lie is a foul blot in a man:

It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.

25A thief is better than a man that is continually lying:

But they both shall inherit destruction.

26The disposition of a liar is dishonor;

And his shame is with him continually.

27He that is wise in words shall advance himself;

And one that is prudent will please great men.

28He that tilleth his land shall raise his heap high;

And he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.

29Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise,

And as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.

30Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight,

What profit is in them both?

31Better is a man that hideth his folly

Than a man that hideth his wisdom.