The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 8

¹ Strive not with a mig y man’ lest thou fall into his hands ⚑

² Be not at variance with a rich man lest he overweigh thee for gold hath destroyed many and perverted the hearts of kings ⚑

³ Strive not with a man that is full of tongue and heap not wood upon his fire ⚑

⁴ Jest not with a rude man lest thy ancestors be disgraced ⚑

⁵ Reproach not a man that turneth from sin but remember that we are all worthy of punishment ⚑

⁶ Dishonour not a man in his old age for even some of us wax old ⚑

⁷ Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead but remember that we die all ⚑

⁸ Despise not the discourse of the wise but acquaint thyself with their proverbs for of them thou shalt learn instruction and how to serve great men with ease ⚑

⁹ Miss not the discourse of the elders for they also learned of their fathers and of them thou shalt learn understanding and to give answer as need requireth ⚑

¹⁰ Kindle not the coals of a sinner lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire ⚑

¹¹ Rise not up in anger at the presence of an injurious person lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words ⚑

¹² Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself for if thou lendest him count it but lost ⚑

¹³ Be not surety above thy power for if thou be surety take care to pay it ⚑

¹⁴ Go not to law with a judge for they will judge for him according to his honour ⚑

¹⁵ Travel not by the way with a bold fellow lest he become grievous unto thee for he will do according to his own will and thou shalt perish with him through his folly ⚑

¹⁶ Strive not with an angry man and go not with him into a solitary place for blood is as nothing in his sight and where there is no help he will overthrow thee ⚑

¹⁷ Consult not with a fool for he cannot keep counsel ⚑

¹⁸ Do no secret thing before a stranger for thou knowest not what he will bring forth ⚑

¹⁹ Open not thine heart to every man lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn ⚑