Ecclesiasticus / Sirach - The Old Testament

¹ Whoever loves his son will beat him frequently so that in after years the son may be his comfort.

² Whoever is strict with his son will reap the benefit, and be able to boast of him to his acquaintances.

³ Whoever educates his son will be the envy of his enemy, and will be proud of him among his friends.

⁴ Even when the father dies, he might well not be dead, since he leaves his likeness behind him.

⁵ In life he has had the joy of his company, dying, he has no anxieties.

⁶ He leaves an avenger against his enemies and a rewarder of favours for his friends.

⁷ Whoever coddles his son will bandage his wounds, his heart will turn over at every cry.

⁸ A badly broken-in horse turns out stubborn, a son left to himself turns out headstrong.

⁹ Pamper your child and he will terrorise you, play along with him and he will bring you sorrow.

¹⁰ Do not laugh with him, or one day you will weep with him and end up gnashing your teeth.

¹¹ While he is young, do not allow him his freedom and do not wink at his mistakes.

¹² Bend his neck in youth, bruise his ribs while he is a child, or else he will grow stubborn and disobedient, and hurt you very deeply.

¹³ Be strict with your son, and persevere with him, or you will rue his insolence.

¹⁴ Better be poor if healthy and fit than rich if tormented in body.

¹⁵ Health and strength are better than any gold, a robust body than untold wealth.

¹⁶ No riches can outweigh bodily health, no enjoyment surpass a cheerful heart.

¹⁷ Better death than a wretched life, and everlasting rest than chronic illness.

¹⁸ Good things lavished on a closed mouth are like food offerings put on a grave.

¹⁹ What use is an offering to an idol which can neither eat nor smell? How describe someone pursued by the Lord's displeasure?

²⁰ He looks and sighs like a eunuch embracing a pretty girl -- how he sighs!

²¹ Do not abandon yourself to sorrow, do not torment yourself with brooding.

²² Gladness of heart is life to anyone, joy is what gives length of days.

²³ Give your cares the slip, console your heart, chase sorrow far away; for sorrow has been the ruin of many, and is no use to anybody.

²⁴ Jealousy and anger shorten your days, and worry brings premature old age.

²⁵ A genial heart makes a good trencherman, someone who enjoys a good meal.