Liber Ecclesiasticus, 32

1. Rectorem te posuerunt? Noli extolli: esto in illis quasi unus ex ipsis.

1. Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one's flesh, and anxiety about it removes sleep.

2. Curam illorum habe et sic conside et omni cura tua explicita recumbe,

2. Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber, and a severe illness carries off sleep.

3. ut laeteris propter illos et decentiae gratia accipias coronam et dignationem consequaris corrogationis.

3. The rich man toils as his wealth accumulates, and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.

4. Loquere, maior natu: decet enim te

4. The poor man toils as his livelihood diminishes, and when he rests he becomes needy.

5. primum verbum in diligenti scientia; et non impedias musicam.

5. He who loves gold will not be justified, and he who pursues money will be led astray by it.

6. Ubi convivium, non effundas sermonem et importune noli extolli in sapientia tua.

6. Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face.

7. Gemmula carbunculi in ornamento auri, et concentus musicorum in convivio vini;

7. It is a stumbling block to those who are devoted to it, and every fool will be taken captive by it.

8. sicut in fabricatione aurea signum est smaragdi, sic numerus musicorum in iucundo et moderato vino.

8. Blessed is the rich man who is found blameless, and who does not go after gold.

9. Audi tacens, et pro reverentia accedet tibi bona gratia.

9. Who is he? And we will call him blessed, for he has done wonderful things among his people.

10. Adulescens, loquere in tua causa vix;

10. Who has been tested by it and been found perfect? Let it be for him a ground for boasting. Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress, and to do evil and did not do it?

11. bis, si interrogatus fueris.

11. His prosperity will be established, and the assembly will relate his acts of charity.

12. Recapitula sermonem, in paucis multa; esto quasi scius et simul tacens.

12. Are you seated at the table of a great man? Do not be greedy at it, and do not say, "There is certainly much upon it!"

13. In medio magnatorum non praesumas et, ubi sunt senes, non multum loquaris.

13. Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing. What has been created more greedy than the eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.

14. Ante tonitruum praeibit coruscatio, et ante verecundum praeibit gratia.

14. Do not reach out your hand for everything you see, and do not crowd your neighbor at the dish.

15. Et hora surgendi non te trices; praecurre autem prior in domum tuam et illic avocare et illic lude

15. Judge your neighbor's feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful.

16. et age conceptiones tuas et noli peccare in verbo superbo.

16. Eat like a human being what is set before you, and do not chew greedily, lest you be hated.

17. Et super his omnibus benedicito Dominum, qui fecit te et inebriantem te ab omnibus bonis suis.

17. Be the first to stop eating, for the sake of good manners, and do not be insatiable, lest you give offense.

18. Qui timet Dominum, excipiet doctrinam; et, qui vigilaverint ad illum, invenient benedictionem.

18. If you are seated among many persons, do not reach out your hand before they do.

19. Qui quaerit legem, replebitur ab ea; et, qui insidiose agit, scandalizabitur in ea.

19. How ample a little is for a well-disciplined man! He does not breathe heavily upon his bed.

20. Qui timent Dominum, invenient iudicium iustum et iustitias quasi lumen accendent.

20. Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating; he rises early, and feels fit. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea and colic are with the glutton.

21. Peccator homo vitabit correptionem et secundum voluntatem suam inveniet comparationem.

21. If you are overstuffed with food, get up in the middle of the meal, and you will have relief.

22. Vir consilii non despiciet intellegentiam; alienus et superbus non pertimescet timorem. (23)

22. Listen to me, my son, and do not disregard me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your work be industrious, and no sickness will overtake you.

23.

23. Men will praise the one who is liberal with food, and their testimony to his excellence is trustworthy.

24. Fili, sine consilio nihil facias et post factum non paenitebis.

24. The city will complain of the one who is niggardly with food, and their testimony to his niggardliness is accurate.

25. In via ruinae non eas et non offendes bis in lapides; ne credas te viae inexploratae, ne ponas animae tuae scandalum.

25. Do not aim to be valiant over wine, for wine has destroyed many.

26. Et a filiis tuis cave et a domesticis tuis attende.

26. Fire and water prove the temper of steel, so wine tests hearts in the strife of the proud.

27. In omni opere tuo confide animae tuae: haec est enim conservatio mandatorum.

27. Wine is like life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.

28. Qui credit legi, attendit mandatis; et, qui confidit in Domino, non minorabitur.

28. Wine drunk in season and temperately is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.

29.

29. Wine drunk to excess is bitterness of soul, with provocation and stumbling.

30.

30. Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury, reducing his strength and adding wounds.

31.

31. Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine, and do not despise him in his merrymaking; speak no word of reproach to him, and do not afflict him by making demands of him.