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Ben Sira Quotes
Ben Sira, also called Ben Sirach, Jesus ben Sira, Joshua ben Sira, or Sirach was a Hellenistic Jewish scribe, sage, and allegorist from Seleucid-controlled Jerusalem of the Second Temple period. He is the author of the Book of Sirach, also known as "Ecclesiasticus".
Random Ben Sira quote
14 quotes
Bread is life to the poor; he who takes it from them is a murderer.
Better to stumble on the ground than to make a slip with the tongue; this is how easily the wicked fall.
Few perhaps are the days of the just man’s life but an honored name endures forever.
When you experience abundance, remember the days of famine; when you enjoy riches, think of poverty and misery. Time slips by between morning and evening, all things pass quickly before the Lord.
Wine and women corrupt the best of men; whoever frequents prostitutes loses all sense of shame.
In all your actions remember your last end and you will never sin.
Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will devise to his own mind.
Come to me, all you that need instruction, and learn in my school.| Why do you admit that you are ignorant and do nothing about it? | Here is what I say: It costs nothing to be wise.
Better a poor man healthy and fit, than a rich man tormented in body. Health and vigor are worth more than gold, a robust body, more than great wealth. No riches are preferable to physical wellbeing, and no joy is greater than a cheerful heart.
Do you desire wisdom? Keep the commandments and the Lord will give her to you without measure; for fear of the Lord is wisdom and learning
Many sin for love of gain, he who desires riches silences his conscience. Just as the stake is settled between two stones, so sin wedges itself between buying and selling. The house of him who does not keep himself firmly in the fear of the Lord will soon be knocked to the ground.
While I was still young, before I went on my travels
What is brighter than the sun? Yet it disappears. Man is no more than flesh and blood, yet he thinks of doing evil. While the sun surveys the stars in the lofty sky, human beings remain dust and ashes.
One keeps silent and is thought to be wise, the other makes himself hated because of his gossiping. One remains silent because he does not know how to reply; the other keeps quiet, waiting for the right moment. The wise man keeps silent until the right moment; the chatterer and fool speak out of turn.
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