The following exacts are from The Wisdom of Ben Sira (Sirach), (Ecclesiasticus), an old Testament Book of the Bible written about 200 B.C. It’s simply amazing how relevant these words still are!
Let not wine be the proof of your strength, for wine has been the ruin of many. Wine is very life to anyone, if taken in moderation. Does anyone really live who lacks the wine which from the beginning was created for joy? Wine in excess is a snare for the fool; it lessens strength and multiplies wounds. Ben Sira 31:25, 27, 30. (Sirach, Ecclesiasticus)
Do not desert an old friend; the new one will not be his match. New friend, new wine; when it grows old, you drink it with pleasure. Ben Sira 9:10 (Sirach, Ecclesiasticus)
Wealth is not appropriate for the mean-spirited; to misers, what use is gold? What they deny themselves they collect for someone else, and strangers will live sumptuously on their possessions. Ben Sira 14:3-4 (Sirach, Ecclesiasticus)
Do not look around the streets of the city or wander through its squares.
Avert your eyes from a shapely woman; do not gaze upon beauty that is not yours; Through woman’s beauty many have been ruined, for love of it burns like fire. Ben Sira 9:7-9
My son, if you have the means, treat yourself well, and enjoy life as best you can…Give and take, treat yourself well, for in Sheol there are no joys to seek .Ben Sira 14:11, 16
Envy and anger shorten one’s days, and anxiety brings on premature old age. Those who are cheerful and merry at table benefit from their food. Ben Sira 30:24-25
Do not become a glutton and a drunkard with nothing in your purse. Ben Sira 18:33
More and more, humble your pride; what awaits mortals is worms. Ben Sira 7:17
The mind of fools is in their mouths, but the mouth of the wise is in their mind. Ben Sira 21:26
Who will set a guard over my mouth, an effective seal on my lips, That I may not fail through them, and my tongue may not destroy me? Ben Sira 22:27
Those accustomed to using abusive language will never acquire discipline as long as they live. Ben Sira 23:15
Three kinds of people I hate, and I loathe their manner of life: A proud pauper, a rich liar, and a lecherous old fool. Ben Sira 25:2
Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemious one prolongs life. Ben Sira 37:31
Like a sandy hill to aged feet is a garrulous wife to a quiet husband. Ben Sira 25:20
As you fence in your property with thorns, so make a door and a bolt for your mouth. As you lock up your silver and gold, so make balances and scales for your words. Take care not to slip by your tongue and fall victim to one lying in ambush. Ben Sira 28:24-46
The conversation of the godly is always wisdom, but the fool changes like the moon. Limit the time you spend among the stupid, but frequent the company of the thoughtful. The conversation of fools is offensive, and their laughter is wanton sin. Their oath-filled talk makes the hair stand on end, and their brawls make one stop the ears. The wrangling of the proud ends in bloodshed, and their cursing is painful to hear. Ben Sira 27:11-15
An untamed horse turns out stubborn; and a son left to himself grows up unruly. Pamper a child and he will be a terror for you, indulge him, and he will bring you grief. Ben Sira 30:8-9
Better the poor in vigorous health than the rich with bodily ills. I would rather have bodily health than any gold, and contentment of spirit than pearls. No riches are greater than a healthy body; and no happiness than a joyful heart. Ben Sira 30:14:16
Does not a little suffice for a well-bred person? When he lies down, he does not wheeze. Moderate eating ensures sound slumber and a clear mind on rising the next day. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea and colic are with the glutton! Ben Sira 31:19-20
Do not ridicule the embittered; Remember: there is One who exalts and humbles. Ben Sira 7:11
From the needy do not turn your eyes; do not give them reason to curse you. If in their pain they cry out bitterly, their Rock will hear the sound of their cry. Ben Sira 4:5-6
A word is the source of every deed; a thought, of every act. The root of all conduct is the heart; four branches it shoots forth: Good and evil, death and life, and their absolute mistress is the tongue. Ben Sira 37:16-18
Come aside to me, you untutored, and take up lodging in the house of instruction; How long will you deprive yourself of wisdom’s food, how long endure such bitter thirst? Ben Sira 51:23-24
The Watsons 