Context No. 2830 of 4322 · Sirach

Sirach 8:1-19: in context

1Don’t contend with a mighty man, lest perhaps you fall into his hands. 2Don’t strive with a rich man, lest perhaps he overpower you; for gold has destroyed many, and turned away the hearts of kings. 3Don’t argue with a loudmouthed man. Don’t heap wood upon his fire. 4Don’t make fun of a rude man, lest your ancestors be dishonored. 5Don’t reproach a man when he turns from sin. Remember that we are all worthy of punishment. 6Don’t dishonor a man in his old age, for some of us are also growing old. 7Don’t rejoice over anyone’s death. Remember that we all die. 8Don’t neglect the discourse of the wise. Be conversant with their proverbs; for from them you will learn discipline and how to serve great men. 9Don’t miss the discourse of the aged, for they also learned from their parents, because from them you will learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need. 10Don’t kindle the coals of a sinner, lest you be burned with the flame of his fire. 11Don’t rise up from the presence of an insolent man, lest he lie in wait as an ambush for your mouth. 12Don’t lend to a man who is stronger than you; and if you lend, count it as a loss. 13Don’t be surety beyond your means. If you give surety, think as one who will have to pay. 14Don’t go to law with a judge; for according to his honor they will give judgment for him. 15Don’t travel with a reckless man, lest he be burdensome to you; for he will do as he pleases, and you will perish with his folly. 16Don’t fight with a wrathful man. Don’t travel with him through the desert, for blood is as nothing in his sight. Where there is no help, he will overthrow you. 17Don’t consult with a fool, for he will not be able to keep a secret. 18Do no secret thing before a stranger, for you don’t know what it will cause. 19Don’t open your heart to every man. Don’t let him return you a favor.

Ben Sira offers a long run of shrewd, down-to-earth counsel. Do not pick a quarrel with someone stronger, richer, or louder than you; do not heap wood on an angry man's fire. Do not reproach a person who is turning from sin, remembering that we all deserve punishment. Do not dishonor the old, for you too are aging. Do not gloat over anyone's death, for we all die. Listen to the wise and the aged, and do not travel with a reckless man.

The thread running through all of it is a humble realism about human nature, mine as much as anyone's. Ben Sira keeps me from fights I cannot win and from cruelties I would later regret, precisely by reminding me that I am not so different from the people around me. I too grow old. I too will die. I too stand in need of mercy. Wisdom here is simply treating others with the very mercy and caution I will one day want extended to me.

Do I treat the aging, the failing, and the struggling with the mercy I will need when it is my turn to be weak?

Sources

Sirach 8:5: "Don't reproach a man when he turns from sin. Remember that we are all worthy of punishment."
Sirach 8:6: "Don't dishonor a man in his old age, for some of us are also growing old."
Matthew 7:12: "Whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them."