1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible
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| Sirach 8:1 | Strive not with a powerful man, lest thou fall into his hands. | |
| Sirach 8:2 | *Contend not with a rich man, lest he bring an action against thee. Matthew 25:25. | Bring. Greek, "overweigh thee," (Haydock) or turn the balance of the judge (Calmet) against thee, by money, (Haydock) which sometimes will corrupt kings. It is better, therefore, to avoid all law-suits. (Worthington) |
| Sirach 8:3 | *For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them. Ecclesiasticus 31:6. | |
| Sirach 8:4 | Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire. | Fire. Ver. 13., and Proverbs 26:20. Such contests are full of danger. |
| Sirach 8:5 | Communicate not with an ignorant man, lest he speak ill of thy family. | Family. Or "ancestors." They will be accused of having neglected thy education. People generally associate with those of the like dispositions. |
| Sirach 8:6 | Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, *nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof. 2 Corinthians 2:6.; Galatians 6:1. | |
| Sirach 8:7 | *Despise not a man in his old age: for we also shall become old. Leviticus 19:32. | |
| Sirach 8:8 | Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy: knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death. | |
| Sirach 8:9 | *Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs. Ecclesiasticus 6:35. | |
| Sirach 8:10 | For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame. | |
| Sirach 8:11 | Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers: | |
| Sirach 8:12 | For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need. | |
| Sirach 8:13 | Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins. | Sinners. Greek, "a sinner, lest thou be burnt in the fire of his flame,["] when he shall be enraged. (Haydock) --- This is not the time for reprehension. (Calmet) --- The envoys of Ezechias prudently answered nothing to Rabsaces. (S. Jerome in Isaias xxxvi.) --- Useless correction must be avoided. (Menochius) |
| Sirach 8:14 | Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words. | Words. Thus the Pharisees attacked our Saviour, Matthew 22:15. In popular assemblies it is dangerous, but sometimes requisite to oppose bold declaimers, Ecclesiasticus 9:25. |
| Sirach 8:15 | *Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself: and if thou lendest, count it as lost. Ecclesiasticus 29:4. | |
| Sirach 8:16 | Be not surety above thy power: and if thou be surety, think as if thou wert to pay it. | Power. Thou must consider the debt as thy own, Proverbs 6:1. (Calmet) |
| Sirach 8:17 | Judge not against a judge: for he judgeth according to that which is just. | |
| Sirach 8:18 | *Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly. Genesis 4:8. | |
| Sirach 8:19 | *Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee. Proverbs 22:24. | |
| Sirach 8:20 | Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them. | Love. Greek, "keep the word secret. (21) Do no hidden thing before a stranger." (Haydock) --- The skilful alone must be consulted. (Worthington) |
| Sirach 8:21 | Before a stranger do no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth. | |
| Sirach 8:22 | Open not thy heart to every man: lest he repay thee with an evil turn, and speak reproachfully to thee. | Evil. Greek, "false kindness." The rest is omitted. (Haydock) --- Samson was undone by Dalilia. When Pompey was going on an embassy, he was taken by king Gentius, who wished to extort his secret from him; but he put his finger in the flame of a candle, that he might see that all his attempts would be fruitless. (V. Max. 3:3.) |