Sirach 37:10-12

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹⁰ Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously;
    hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.
¹¹ Do not consult with a woman about her rival
    or with a coward about war,
with a merchant about barter
    or with a buyer about selling,
with a grudging man about gratitude
    or with a merciless man about kindness,
with an idler about any work
    or with a man hired for a year about completing his work,
with a lazy servant about a big task—
    pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.
¹² But stay constantly with a godly man
    whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments,
whose soul is in accord with your soul,
    and who will sorrow with you if you fail.