Skip to main content
Sirach / Chapter 37

Sirach 37

35 verses • Latin Vulgate (Jerome)

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Ben Sira warns against false friends and self-interested counselors, urging discernment in choosing advisors. He praises the truly wise counselor who seeks God's guidance, then turns to the virtue of moderation in eating -- excess brings illness, while temperance prolongs life.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The chapter offers a remarkably sophisticated typology of bad advisors: the friend who is only a friend in name, the counselor who advises according to his own interest, and those who counsel from envy. The concluding section on dietary moderation (vv. 27-34) is one of the earliest extant wisdom texts linking health to self-control at the table.

Translation Friction

The transition from the topic of counsel to dietary advice feels abrupt to modern readers, but in the ancient wisdom tradition, moderation in speech and moderation in eating were parallel expressions of self-mastery.

Connections

Proverbs 11:14 (safety in many counselors); Proverbs 25:16 (moderation in eating honey); 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 (Paul on food and the body); James 1:5 (asking God for wisdom).

Sirach 37:1

Omnis amicus dicet et ego amicitiam copulavi sed est amicus solo nomine amicus.

Every friend says, 'I too have forged a friendship,' but some are friends in name only.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

amicitiam copulavi
"forged a friendship"

Copulare implies binding or yoking together; friendship as a deliberately constructed bond, not a casual association.

Translator Notes

  1. The opening distinguishes verbal claims of friendship from genuine bonds, setting up the chapter's theme of discerning true from false counsel.
Sirach 37:2

Nonne tristitia inest usque ad mortem sodalis et amicus qui convertitur ad inimicitiam.

Is it not a grief unto death when a companion and friend turns to enmity?

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

sodalis
"companion"

A close associate, often implying shared meals and daily life; the betrayal of such intimacy is especially painful.

Sirach 37:3

O praesumptio nequissima unde creata es cooperire aridam malitia et dolositate illius.

O wicked presumption, where were you created, to cover the earth with malice and deceit?

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

praesumptio nequissima
"wicked presumption"

The audacity of evil; nequissima is a superlative expressing the most base and worthless quality.

Translator Notes

  1. A brief apostrophe addressing wickedness itself, personified as a spreading contagion.
Sirach 37:4

Sodalis amico coniucundatur in oblectationibus et in tempore tribulationis adversarius erit.

A companion takes pleasure with his friend in good times, but in the time of trouble he becomes an adversary.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Fair-weather friendship is a perennial wisdom theme; Ben Sira returns to it repeatedly throughout the book.
Sirach 37:5

Sodalis amico condolet causa ventris et contra hostem accipiet scutum.

A companion grieves with his friend for the sake of his belly, and against the enemy he will take up the shield.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

causa ventris
"for the sake of his belly"

A blunt idiom exposing the material self-interest lurking behind shows of sympathy.

Translator Notes

  1. The motive is self-interest ('for the sake of his belly'): even apparent solidarity may be driven by desire for shared provisions.
Sirach 37:6

Non obliviscaris amici in animo tuo et non immemor sis illius in opibus tuis.

Do not forget your friend in your heart, and do not be unmindful of him when you have wealth.

Sirach 37:7

Noli consiliari cum eo qui tibi insidiatur et a zelantibus te absconde consilium.

Do not take counsel with one who lays snares for you, and hide your plans from those who envy you.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

zelantibus
"who envy you"

Zelans can mean either zealous or envious; context here demands the negative sense of jealous rivalry.

Sirach 37:8

Omnis consiliarius prodit consilium sed est consiliarius in semet ipso.

Every counselor offers advice, but some counsel only in their own interest.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

in semet ipso
"in their own interest"

Literally 'in himself'; the counselor whose advice loops back to benefit himself rather than the one seeking guidance.

Translator Notes

  1. The pivot from general observation to specific warning: the self-serving counselor is the most dangerous because he appears helpful.
Sirach 37:9

A consiliario serva animam tuam prius scito quae sit illius necessitas et ipse enim animo suo cogitabit.

Guard yourself from a counselor; first learn what his need is, for he will think in terms of his own advantage.

Sirach 37:10

Ne forte mittat sudem in terram et dicat tibi.

Lest he drive a stake into the ground and say to you --

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

sudem
"stake"

A pointed wooden post; metaphorically, the counselor stakes a claim on the situation for his own benefit.

Translator Notes

  1. The image of driving a stake (sudem) suggests the counselor marking out territory -- claiming the outcome for himself.
Sirach 37:11

Bona est via tua et stans e contra videbit quid tibi eveniat.

'Your way is good' -- and then he stands opposite to see what befalls you.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The false counselor affirms the plan, then positions himself at a safe distance to watch the consequences -- ready to exploit success or avoid blame.
Sirach 37:12

Cum viro irreligioso tracta de sanctitate et cum iniusto de iustitia et cum muliere de his quae aemulatur et cum timido de bello cum negotiatore de traiectione et cum emptore de venditione cum viro livido de gratiis.

With an irreligious man discuss holiness, and with an unjust man discuss justice; with a woman discuss her rival, and with a coward discuss war; with a merchant discuss exchange rates, and with a buyer discuss selling; with an envious man discuss gratitude.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

livido
"envious"

Lividus: literally bruise-colored, metaphorically consumed by envy -- unable to appreciate another's good fortune.

Translator Notes

  1. A satirical list of mismatched consultations: each advisor has a built-in conflict of interest on the very topic you would ask about.
Sirach 37:13

Cum impio de pietate cum inhonesto de honestate cum operario agri de omni opere.

With the impious discuss piety, with the dishonorable discuss honor, with a field laborer discuss any kind of work.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The list continues: each mismatch reveals that seeking counsel from someone without the relevant virtue is futile.
Sirach 37:14

Cum mercennario annuali de consummatione anni cum servo pigro de multa operatione non attendas his in omni consilio.

With a hired worker discuss the end of the year, with a lazy servant discuss hard work -- pay no attention to any of these for counsel.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

mercennario annuali
"hired worker"

A laborer contracted for the year, whose primary interest is reaching the end of the contract period rather than the quality of the work.

Sirach 37:15

Sed cum viro sancto adsiduus esto quemcumque cognoveris observantem timorem Dei.

But be constantly with a holy man, whomever you recognize as one who keeps the fear of God.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

timorem Dei
"fear of God"

The foundational virtue of the wisdom tradition: reverential awe before God that shapes all conduct and counsel.

Translator Notes

  1. After the negative examples, the positive criterion: a true counselor is identified by his reverence for God, not by expertise alone.
Sirach 37:16

Cuius anima est secundum animam tuam et qui cum titubaveris in tenebris condolebit tibi.

Whose soul is like your own soul, and who, when you stumble in darkness, will grieve with you.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. True counsel comes from soul-kinship: shared values and genuine empathy, not detached expertise.
Sirach 37:17

Et cor boni consilii statue tecum non est enim tibi aliud pluris illo.

And establish within yourself a heart of good counsel, for nothing is of greater value to you.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

cor boni consilii
"heart of good counsel"

An inner disposition of sound judgment; the heart as the seat of both intellect and moral discernment.

Translator Notes

  1. The internalization of wisdom: ultimately, the best counselor is one's own well-formed conscience.
Sirach 37:18

Anima viri sancti enuntiat aliquando vera quam septem circumspectores sedentes in excelso ad speculandum.

The soul of a holy man sometimes discerns the truth better than seven watchmen sitting on a high tower to observe.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

circumspectores
"watchmen"

Sentinels posted on elevated positions to scan for approaching danger; a metaphor for external sources of intelligence.

Translator Notes

  1. Seven watchmen represent the maximum human surveillance capacity; yet inner wisdom surpasses even the most comprehensive external observation.
Sirach 37:19

Et in his omnibus deprecare Altissimum ut dirigat in veritate viam tuam.

And in all these things pray to the Most High, that he may direct your way in truth.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The capstone: all human counsel, however good, must be submitted to God's direction through prayer.
Sirach 37:20

Ante omnia opera verbum verax praecedat te et ante omnem actum consilium stabile.

Before all your works let a truthful word go before you, and before every action, firm counsel.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

verbum verax
"truthful word"

Speech grounded in reality and integrity; the starting point for all sound action.

Sirach 37:21

Verbum nequam immutabit cor ex quo partes quattuor oriuntur bonum et malum vita et mors et dominatrix illorum est adsidua lingua.

A wicked word changes the heart, from which four things arise: good and evil, life and death -- and the tongue is their constant mistress.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

dominatrix
"mistress"

Female form of dominator, emphasizing absolute control; the tongue rules over the outcomes it produces.

Translator Notes

  1. The tongue as 'mistress' (dominatrix) of these four realities gives speech almost cosmological power in the moral order.
Sirach 37:22

Est vir astutus multorum eruditor et animae suae inutilis est.

There is a man who is clever and instructs many, yet is useless to his own soul.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

astutus
"clever"

Astutus can be positive (shrewd) or negative (cunning); here the ambiguity is deliberate -- the man's cleverness benefits others but not himself.

Translator Notes

  1. A devastating observation: public intellectual reputation does not guarantee private spiritual health.
Sirach 37:23

Vir peritus multos erudivit et animae suae suavis est.

A man of true skill instructs many and is pleasing to his own soul.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

peritus
"of true skill"

Deep competence born of experience and integrity, contrasted with the superficial cleverness of the astutus.

Translator Notes

  1. The contrast with v. 22: genuine wisdom (peritus) nourishes both teacher and student, while mere cleverness (astutus) leaves the teacher empty.
Sirach 37:24

Qui sophistice loquitur odibilis est in omni re defraudabitur.

He who speaks with sophistry is hateful; he will be cheated in everything.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

sophistice
"with sophistry"

Deceptively clever speech that substitutes verbal skill for truth; the Greek loan word signals that Ben Sira is aware of Hellenistic rhetorical culture.

Translator Notes

  1. Sophistice is one of the earliest Latin uses of a term that would become central to philosophical critique -- speech designed to deceive rather than illuminate.
Sirach 37:25

Non est illi data gratia a Domino omni enim sapientia defraudatus est.

Grace has not been given to him by the Lord, for he has been deprived of all wisdom.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

gratia
"grace"

Divine favor that enables true wisdom; its absence explains why the sophist's cleverness produces nothing of lasting value.

Sirach 37:26

Est sapiens animae suae sapiens et fructus sensus illius laudabilis.

There is a man wise for his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is praiseworthy.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

fructus sensus
"fruit of his understanding"

Wisdom produces tangible results; sensus here combines intellectual perception with practical judgment.

Sirach 37:27

Vir sapiens plebem suam erudit et fructus sensus illius fideles sunt.

A wise man instructs his people, and the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The truly wise man's teaching is 'faithful' -- it can be relied upon because it flows from genuine wisdom rather than self-interest.
Sirach 37:28

Vir sapiens implebitur benedictionibus et videntes illum laudabunt.

A wise man will be filled with blessings, and all who see him will praise him.

Sirach 37:29

Vita viri in numero dierum et dies Israhel innumerabiles sunt.

The life of a man is counted in days, but the days of Israel are without number.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Individual life is finite; the nation endures. This contrast frames the following advice on preserving health within the limits of mortal life.
Sirach 37:30

Sapiens in populo hereditabit honorem et nomen illius erit vivens in aeternum.

The wise man among his people will inherit honor, and his name will live forever.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

nomen vivens
"name will live"

Enduring reputation as a form of survival beyond death; the primary mode of 'afterlife' in pre-Maccabean wisdom theology.

Translator Notes

  1. A lasting name (nomen vivens) is the form of immortality available within Ben Sira's theology, which does not affirm individual resurrection.
Sirach 37:31

Fili in vita tua tempta animam tuam et si fuerit nequam non des illi potestatem.

My son, in your lifetime test your soul, and if something is harmful, do not give it power over you.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The transition to dietary advice: 'test your soul' means discover through experience what agrees with your constitution and what does not.
Sirach 37:32

Non enim omnia omnibus expediunt et non omni animae omne genus placet.

For not all things are good for everyone, and not every kind of food pleases every soul.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. A strikingly individualized approach to health: Ben Sira recognizes that dietary needs vary from person to person.
Sirach 37:33

Noli avidus esse in omni epulatione et non te effundas super omnem escam.

Do not be greedy at every feast, and do not pour yourself upon every dish.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

avidus
"greedy"

Insatiable appetite; the vice of excess at table that damages both body and reputation.

Sirach 37:34

In multis enim escis erit infirmitas et aviditas adpropinquabit usque ad choleram.

For in many foods there will be sickness, and greed leads to nausea.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

choleram
"nausea"

Cholera in classical Latin denotes bilious sickness or severe digestive upset, not the modern disease of that name.

Sirach 37:35

Propter crapulam multi obierunt qui autem abstinens est adiciet vitam.

Through overindulgence many have perished, but the one who is temperate will prolong life.

Notes & Key Terms 2 terms

Key Terms

crapulam
"overindulgence"

Originally meaning the aftereffects of excessive drinking; extended to all forms of dietary excess.

abstinens
"temperate"

Self-restraint in consumption; the positive virtue that counterbalances the vice of crapula.

Translator Notes

  1. The chapter closes with a mortality warning: excess kills, temperance preserves. The Latin crapula (hangover, surfeit) became a standard term in later moral theology.
Chapter 36 Report an error Sirach index Chapter 38