Sirach 19
A person who indulges in excessive drinking and immorality will not prosper, and those who associate with the wicked will suffer consequences. One should be cautious in sharing personal thoughts and secrets, as even friends may betray trust. It is essential to correct others gently and not to believe every word spoken. True wisdom comes from fearing God and following the law, rather than relying on human intelligence or cunning. A person's character can be discerned from their appearance and behavior, and it is often better to remain silent than to speak impulsively or deceitfully.
An inebriated worker will not be wealthy. And whoever despises littleness will fall a little at a timeWine and women cause wise men to fall away, and then they will complain against those who understandAnd whoever joins himself to fornicators will become wicked. Decay and worms will inherit him, and he will be denounced as the greater example, and his soul will be deducted from the numberWhoever is quick to believe has a trivial heart and will be diminished. And whoever offends against his own soul will have even lessWhoever rejoices in iniquity will be condemned. And whoever hates correction will have less in life. But whoever hates excessive talk extinguishes evilWhoever sins against his own soul will be punished. And whoever rejoices in malice will be condemnedYou should not repeat a wicked and harsh word, and then you will not be diminishedDo not reveal your mind to friend or foe. And if there is a sin within you, do not disclose itFor he will listen to you and watch you, and while pretending to defend your sin, he will despise you, and so he will be whenever he is with youHave you heard a word against your neighbor? Let it die within you, trusting that it will not burst forth from youBefore the face of a word, a foolish man labors, like a woman groaning as she gives birth to a childLike an arrow fixed in the flesh of the thigh, so is a word in the heart of a foolish manCorrect a friend, though perhaps there was a misunderstanding, and he may say, "I did not do it." Or, if he did do it, correct him, so that he may not do it againCorrect your neighbor, for perhaps he did not say it. But if he did say it, correct him, so that he may not say it againCorrect your friend. For often a fault has been committedAnd do not believe every word. There is one who slips with his word, but not with his heartFor who is there who has not offended with his words? Correct your neighbor before you reprimand himAnd make a place for the fear of the Most High. For all wisdom is fear of God, and it is wise to fear God, and in all wisdom is the orderly disposition of the lawBut the discipline of wickedness is not wisdom. And there is no prudence in the thoughts of sinnersThere is a wickedness, and in it there is abomination. And there is a foolish man who has been diminished in wisdomBetter is a man who has been diminished in wisdom because his mind is failing, but with the fear of God, than he who abounds in intelligence, but with transgression against the law of the Most HighThere is a certain cleverness, and it is unjustAnd there is one who utters a careful word, explaining away the truth. There is one who humbles himself wickedly, for his interior is filled with deceitAnd there is one who lowers himself excessively with a great debasement. And there is one who inclines his face downward, and pretends as if he did not see what has not been made knownAnd if he is prevented from sinning by a lack of ability, and then finds an opportunity for evildoing, he will do evilA man is recognized by his appearances. But when you meet an understanding man, he is recognized by his faceThe clothing of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the walk of a man, give a report about himThere is a lying correction in the anger of a contemptuous man. And there is a judgment which does not prove to be good. But there is one who is silent, and the same is prudent
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