Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 20
Commentary from 3 fathers
There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
ΕΣΤΙΝ ἔλεγχος ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ὡραῖος, καὶ ἔστι σιωπῶν καὶ αὐτὸς φρόνιμος.
Ко́ль добро̀ є҆́сть ѡ҆бличи́ти, не́жели ꙗ҆ри́тисѧ та́йнѡ: и҆ и҆сповѣ́даѧйсѧ ѿ ᲂу҆мале́нїѧ возбране́нъ бꙋ́детъ.
It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
ὡς καλὸν ἐλέγξαι ἢ θυμοῦσθαι, καὶ ὁ ἀνθομολογούμενος ἀπὸ ἐλαττώσεως κωλυθήσεται.
Ко́ль добро̀ ѡ҆бличе́нномꙋ ꙗ҆ви́ти покаѧ́нїе:
How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.
се́й бо во́льнагѡ и҆збѣжи́тъ грѣха̀.
There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
ἔστι σιωπῶν εὑρισκόμενος σοφός, καὶ ἔστι μισητὸς ἀπὸ πολλῆς λαλιᾶς.
Є҆́сть молча́й ѡ҆брѣта́ѧйсѧ премꙋ́дръ, и҆ є҆́сть ненави́димь ѿ мно́гїѧ бесѣ́ды.
Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
ἔστι σιωπῶν, οὐ γὰρ ἔχει ἀπόκρισιν, καὶ ἔστι σιωπῶν εἰδὼς καιρόν.
Є҆́сть молча́й, не и҆́мать бо ѿвѣ́та: и҆ є҆́сть молча́й вѣ́дый вре́мѧ.
A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
ἄνθρωπος σοφὸς σιγήσει ἕως καιροῦ, ὁ δὲ λαπιστὴς καὶ ἄφρων ὑπερβήσεται καιρόν.
Человѣ́къ премꙋ́дръ ᲂу҆молчи́тъ до вре́мене: проде́рзый же и҆ безꙋ́мный превосхо́дитъ вре́мѧ.
For those who take notice of what is evil in their neighbours, and yet refrain their tongue in silence, withdraw, as it were, the aid of medicine from observed sores, and become the causers of death, in that they would not cure the venom which they could have cured. The tongue, therefore, should be discreetly curbed, not tied up fast. For it is written, "A wise man will hold his tongue until the time"; in order, assuredly, that, when he considers it opportune, he may relinquish the censorship of silence, and apply himself to the service of utility by speaking such things as are fit. And again it is written, "A time to keep silence, and a time to speak." For, indeed, the times for changes should be discreetly weighed, lest either, when the tongue ought to be restrained, it run loose to no profit in words, or, when it might speak with profit, it slothfully restrain itself. Considering which thing well, the Psalmist says, "Set a watch, O Lord, on my mouth, and a door round about my lips." For he seeks not that a wall should be set on his lips, but a door: that is, what is opened and shut. Whence we, too, ought to learn warily, to the end that the voice discreetly and at the fitting time may open the mouth, and at the fitting time silence close it.
But, on the other hand, those who spend time in much speaking are to be admonished that they vigilantly note from what a state of rectitude they fall away when they flow abroad in a multitude of words. For the human mind, after the manner of water, when closed in, is collected unto higher levels, in that it seeks again the height from which it descended; and, when let loose, it falls away in that it disperses itself unprofitably through the lowest places.
Pastoral Rule 3.14
He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
ὁ πλεονάζων λόγῳ βδελυχθήσεται, καὶ ὁ ἐνεξουσιαζόμενος μισηθήσεται.
Оу҆множа́ѧй словеса̀ ме́рзокъ бꙋ́детъ, и҆ восхища́ѧй вла́сть возненави́дѣнъ бꙋ́детъ.
There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
ἔστιν εὐοδία ἐν κακοῖς ἀνδρί, καὶ ἔστιν εὕρημα εἰς ἐλάττωσιν.
Є҆́сть благопоспѣ́шство во ѕлы́хъ мꙋ́жеви, и҆ є҆́сть и҆з̾ѡбрѣ́тенїе на ᲂу҆мале́нїе.
There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
ἔστι δόσις, ἣ οὐ λυσιτελήσει σοι, καὶ ἔστι δόσις, ἧς τὸ ἀνταπόδομα διπλοῦν.
Є҆́сть даѧ́нїе, є҆́же тѝ не бꙋ́детъ на по́льзꙋ, и҆ є҆́сть даѧ́нїе, є҆гѡ́же ѿда́нїе сꙋгꙋ́бо.
There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
ἔστιν ἐλάττωσις ἕνεκεν δόξης, καὶ ἔστιν ὃς ἀπὸ ταπεινώσεως ᾖρε κεφαλήν.
Є҆́сть ᲂу҆мале́нїе сла́вы ра́ди, и҆ є҆́сть, и҆́же ѿ смире́нїѧ вознесѐ главꙋ̀.
There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
ἔστιν ἀγοράζων πολλὰ ὀλίγου καὶ ἀποτιννύων αὐτὰ ἑπταπλάσιον.
Є҆́сть кꙋпꙋ́ѧй мнѡ́гаѧ ма́лымъ и҆ возвраща́ѧй ѧ҆̀ седмери́цею.
A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
ὁ σοφὸς ἐν λόγῳ ἑαυτὸν προσφιλῆ ποιήσει, χάριτες δὲ μωρῶν ἐκχυθήσονται.
Премꙋ́дрый во словесѝ любе́зна сотвори́тъ себѐ: благѡда́ти же безꙋ́мныхъ и҆злїю́тсѧ.
The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.
δόσις ἄφρονος οὐ λυσιτελήσει σοι, οἱ γὰρ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ἀνθ᾿ ἑνὸς πολλοί·
Даѧ́нїе безꙋ́мнагѡ не ᲂу҆по́льзꙋетъ тѝ, ѻ҆́чи бо є҆гѡ̀ вмѣ́стѡ є҆ди́нагѡ мно́зи ко воспрїѧ́тїю:
The gift of a fool is useless, since the doctrine of heretics benefits no one. “It is as though he had seven eyes,” because the intentions of his will are contaminated by various perversities, always ready to do harm. The number seven, which is identified with perfection by the divine charisms that the prophet Isaiah lists as gifts of the Holy Spirit, can, conversely, sometimes indicate the fullness of wickedness, as in that Gospel passage where the Savior tells about the unclean spirit that for a time abandons a person. “When the unclean spirit leaves the person, it roams through arid places in search of repose, and, finding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house where I left.’ Returning, he finds it swept and clean. Then he goes and brings with him seven other spirits worse than himself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first.”
On Ecclesiasticus 4:13
He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.
ὀλίγα δώσει καὶ πολλὰ ὀνειδίσει καὶ ἀνοίξει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ὡς κῆρυξ· σήμερον δανιεῖ καὶ αὔριον ἀπαιτήσει, μισητὸς ἄνθρωπος ὁ τοιοῦτος.
ма́лѡ да́стъ, а҆ мно́гѡ поноси́ти бꙋ́детъ и҆ ѿве́рзетъ ᲂу҆ста̀ своѧ̑ ꙗ҆́кѡ проповѣ́дникъ: дне́сь взаи́мъ да́стъ, а҆ ᲂу҆́трѡ и҆стѧ́жетъ: ненави́димь человѣ́къ таковы́й гдⷭ҇ꙋ и҆ человѣ́кѡмъ.
The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.
μωρὸς ἐρεῖ· οὐχ ὑπάρχει μοι φίλος, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι χάρις τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς μου· οἱ ἔσθοντες τὸν ἄρτον μου, φαῦλοι γλώσσῃ·
Бꙋ́й рече́тъ: нѣ́сть мѝ дрꙋ́га и҆ нѣ́сть хвалы̀ благи̑мъ мои̑мъ: ꙗ҆дꙋ́щїи хлѣ́бъ мо́й льсти́ви ѧ҆зы́комъ.
How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.
ποσάκις καὶ ὅσοι καταγελάσονται αὐτοῦ; -
Коли́кощи и҆ коли́цы посмѣю́тсѧ є҆мꙋ̀;
To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
᾿Ολίσθημα ἀπὸ ἐδάφους μᾶλλον ἢ ἀπὸ γλώσσης, οὕτως πτῶσις κακῶν κατὰ σπουδὴν ἥξει.
Поползнове́нїе на землѝ лꙋ́чше не́же ѿ ѧ҆зы́ка: та́кѡ паде́нїе ѕлы́хъ со тща́нїемъ прїи́детъ.
A person once said, indicating how easily one falls because of the tongue, “Many fall by the sword, but not as many as by the tongue.” And revealing the seriousness of such a fall, the same person again said, “A slip on the pavement is preferable to a fall caused by the tongue.” And not only does he speak of falls, but also he urges great vigilance against being made to fall when he says, “Make gates and bars for your mouth,” not that we would set actual gates and bars but that with great caution we would close our mouths before what is unbecoming.
Baptismal Instructions 1:17
An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
ἄνθρωπος ἄχαρις, μῦθος ἄκαιρος· ἐν στόματι ἀπαιδεύτων ἐνδελεχισθήσεται.
Человѣ́къ безблагода́тенъ ба́снь безвре́менна: во ᲂу҆стѣ́хъ ненака́занныхъ прⷭ҇нѡ бꙋ́детъ.
A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
ἀπὸ στόματος μωροῦ ἀποδοκιμασθήσεται παραβολή, οὐ γὰρ μὴ εἴπῃ αὐτὴν ἐν καιρῷ αὐτῆς.
Ѿ ᲂу҆́стъ бꙋ́ѧгѡ ѿве́ржена бꙋ́детъ при́тча: не и҆́мать бо є҆ѧ̀ рещѝ во вре́мѧ своѐ.
There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
῎Εστι κωλυόμενος ἁμαρτάνειν ἀπὸ ἐνδείας, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀναπαύσει αὐτοῦ οὐ κατανυγήσεται.
Є҆́сть возбранѧ́емый согрѣша́ти ѿ скꙋ́дости, и҆ въ поко́и свое́мъ не ᲂу҆мили́тсѧ.
There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.
ἔστιν ἀπολλύων τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ δι᾿ αἰσχύνην, καὶ ἀπὸ ἄφρονος προσώπου ἀπολεῖ αὐτήν.
Є҆́сть погꙋблѧ́ѧй дꙋ́шꙋ свою̀ за сты́дъ, и҆ ѿ лица̀ безꙋ́мна погꙋби́тъ ю҆̀.
There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
ἔστι χάριν αἰσχύνης ἐπαγγελόμενος φίλῳ, καὶ ἐκτήσατο αὐτὸν ἐχθρὸν δωρεάν. -
Є҆́сть ра́ди стыда̀ ѡ҆бѣща́ѧйсѧ дрꙋ́гови, и҆ приѡбрѣ́те є҆го̀ врага̀ тꙋ́не.
A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
Μῶμος πονηρὸς ἐν ἀνθρώπῳ ψεῦδος, ἐν στόματι ἀπαιδεύτων ἐνδελεχισθήσεται.
Поро́къ ѕо́лъ человѣ́кꙋ лжа̀, и҆ во ᲂу҆стѣ́хъ ненака́занныхъ прⷭ҇нѡ бꙋ́детъ.
A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
αἱρετὸν κλέπτης ἢ ὁ ἐνδελεχίζων ψεύδει, ἀμφότεροι δὲ ἀπώλειαν κληρονομήσουσιν.
Оу҆́не є҆́сть та́ть, не́жели прⷭ҇нѡ лжа́й: ѻ҆́ба же па́гꙋбꙋ наслѣ́дѧтъ.
The text was not written to justify the thief as though he were not guilty, but by using the comparison it indicates that the habit of lying is worse. As is said in the prophet Ezekiel, the fornication of Jerusalem is worse if compared with that of Samaria, though both merit condemnation. And in the Gospel, according to the word of the Lord, the sin of Sodom will be judged with more forbearance than that of Judea. In a mysterious way the thieves could indicate the Jews, of whom Paul says, “You who preach against stealing, steal,” and the lying heretics, whose crime is more intolerable than that of the Jews, since after receiving the grace of baptism and putting on the garments of Christ, they have returned to apostasy, offending the grace of the Spirit—but both crimes will be met with eternal perdition if repentance does not intervene.
On Ecclesiasticus 4:14
The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
ἦθος ἀνθρώπου ψευδοῦς ἀτιμία, καὶ ἡ αἰσχύνη αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐνδελεχῶς. ΛΟΓΟΙ ΠΑΡΑΒΟΛΩΝ.-
Ѡ҆бы́чай человѣ́ка лжи́ва безче́стїе, и҆ стꙋ́дъ є҆гѡ̀ прⷭ҇нѡ съ ни́мъ.
A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
῾Ο σοφὸς ἐν λόγοις προάξει ἑαυτόν, καὶ ἄνθρωπος φρόνιμος ἀρέσει μεγιστᾶσιν.
Премꙋ́дрый словесы̀ произведе́тъ себѐ, и҆ человѣ́къ мꙋ́дрый ᲂу҆го́денъ бꙋ́детъ вельмо́жамъ.
He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
ὁ ἐργαζόμενος γῆν ἀνυψώσει θημωνίαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ ἀρέσκων μεγιστᾶσιν ἐξιλάσεται ἀδικίαν.
Дѣ́лаѧй зе́млю вознесе́тъ сто́гъ сво́й, и҆ ᲂу҆гожда́ѧй вельмо́жамъ ᲂу҆ми́лостивитъ ѡ҆ непра́вдѣ (свое́й).
Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
ξένια καὶ δῶρα ἀποτυφλοῖ ὀφθαλμοὺς σοφῶν καὶ ὡς φιμὸς ἐν στόματι ἀποτρέπει ἐλεγμούς.
Мзда̀ и҆ да́рове ѡ҆слѣплѧ́ютъ ѻ҆́чи премꙋ́дрыхъ, и҆ ꙗ҆́коже бразды̑ на ᲂу҆стѣ́хъ ѿвраща́ютъ ѡ҆бличє́нїѧ.
Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
σοφία κεκρυμμένη καὶ θησαυρὸς ἀφανής, τίς ὠφέλεια ἐν ἀμφοτέροις;
Премꙋ́дрость сокровє́на и҆ сокро́вище не ꙗ҆вле́но, ка́ѧ по́льза є҆́сть во ѻ҆бои́хъ;
For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter bow faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed themselves they would undoubtedly shew themselves to be promoters of their calamity. Let them perceive, then, in what guilt those are implicated who, in with-holding the word of preaching from their sinning brethren, hide away the remedies of life from dying souls. Whence also a certain wise man says well, Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is unseen, what profit is in them both? Were a famine wasting the people, and they themselves kept hidden corn, undoubtedly they would be the authors of death. Let them consider therefore with what punishment they must be visited who, when souls are perishing from famine of the word, supply not the bread of grace which they have themselves received. Whence also it is well said through Solomon, He that hideth corn shall be cursed among the people. For to hide corn is to retain with one's self the words of sacred preaching. And every one that does so is cursed among the people, because through his fault of silence only he is condemned in the punishment of the many whom he might have corrected.
The Book of Pastoral Rule, Part 3, Chapter 25
If anyone wishes to understand these words also allegorically: in a money bag, money is enclosed; but enclosed money is hidden wisdom. Therefore, whoever has the word of wisdom but neglects to distribute it to his neighbor holds money bound up in a bag, as it were. Hence it is written: "Hidden wisdom and a concealed treasure, what profit is there in either?"
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 17
Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
κρείσσων ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν μωρίαν αὐτοῦ ἢ ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν σοφίαν αὐτοῦ.
Лꙋ́чше человѣ́къ скрыва́ѧй бꙋ́йство своѐ, не́жели человѣ́къ скрыва́ѧй премꙋ́дрость свою̀.
As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
ἐπιθυμία εὐνούχου ἀποπαρθενῶσαι νεάνιδα, οὕτως ὁ ποιῶν ἐν βίᾳ κρίματα.
Жела́нїе ско́пчо растли́тъ ли дѣви́цꙋ; та́кожде творѧ́й нꙋ́ждею сꙋды̀.