Sirach 32:1-16: a reflection

1Have they made you ruler of a feast? Don’t be lifted up. Be among them as one of them. Take care of them first, and then sit down. 2And when you have done all your duties, take your place, that you may be gladdened on their account, and receive a wreath for your good service. 3Speak, you who are older, for it’s your right, but with sound knowledge; and don’t interrupt the music. 4Don’t pour out talk where there is a performance of music. Don’t display your wisdom at the wrong time. 5As a ruby signet in a setting of gold, so is a music concert at a wine banquet. 6As an emerald signet in a work of gold, so is musical melody with pleasant wine. 7Speak, young man, if you are obliged to, but no more than twice, and only if asked. 8Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue. 9When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t babble. 10Lightning speeds before thunder. Approval goes before one who is modest. 11Rise up in good time, and don’t be last. Go home quickly and don’t loiter 12Amuse yourself there and do what is in your heart. Don’t sin by proud speech. 13For these things bless your Maker, who gives you to drink freely of his good things. 14He who fears the Lord will receive discipline. Those who seek him early will find favor. 15He who seeks the law shall be filled with it, but the hypocrite will stumble at it. 16Those who fear the Lord will find true judgment, and will kindle righteous acts like a light.

Sirach offers wise counsel about how to conduct ourselves, especially when given honor or authority. Have they made you master of the feast? Do not be lifted up; be among the guests as one of them; take care of them first, and only then take your place. If placed in charge, the counsel says, do not lord it over others, but serve them, humbling yourself. And it adds wisdom about speech: speak with restraint, sum up much in few words, do not display your wisdom at the wrong moment or dominate the conversation.

Notice the two related graces Sirach commends: humility in leadership, and restraint in speech. If given authority, do not be lifted up by it, but serve those under you, taking care of them first. And in speaking, exercise restraint: say much in few words, know when to speak and when to hold your tongue, do not dominate or show off your wisdom. Both are marks of a humble, self-controlled person: one who, given honor, serves rather than lords it, and who, given a voice, uses it with measured restraint.

Both graces are worth cultivating. When we are given authority or honor, the temptation is to be lifted up, to lord it over others, to enjoy being served; Sirach counsels the opposite, to humble ourselves and serve. And in speech, the temptation is to talk too much, to dominate, to display our wisdom; Sirach counsels restraint, saying much in few words and knowing when to be silent. Whatever honor or authority you are given, wear it humbly and use it to serve. And guard your speech, speaking with restraint rather than dominating. Humility in position and restraint in speech are marks of true wisdom; cultivate both.

Lord, Sirach counsels that if I am made master of the feast, I should not be lifted up but serve the others first, and that I should speak with restraint, saying much in few words and knowing when to hold my tongue. Give me both graces. When I am given authority or honor, keep me from being lifted up, from lording it over others, from enjoying being served; help me instead to humble myself and serve those under me. And guard my speech: keep me from talking too much, dominating, or showing off, and teach me the restraint that says much in few words and knows when to be silent. Let humility in position and restraint in speech mark me as one who is truly wise. Help me wear whatever honor you give humbly, and use my voice with measured care.