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Chapter 8

Prudence in Dealing with Others[a]

Do not contend with the mighty,
    lest you fall into their power.
Do not quarrel with the rich,
    lest they pay out the price of your downfall.
For gold has unsettled many,
    and wealth perverts the character of princes.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:1–19 The prudent will be circumspect, avoiding conflict with the powerful, the rich and insolent, the impious, the irascible, and judges (vv. 1–3, 10–12, 14, 16). They will not associate with the undisciplined (v. 4) or the ruthless (v. 15), with fools or strangers (vv. 17–19), but with the wise and the elders of the people (vv. 8–9). Caution is a recurring theme in Ben Sira.