Sirach 13:22-24

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

²² If the rich person slips, many come to the rescue;
    he speaks unseemly words, but they justify him.
If the humble person slips, they even criticize him;
    he talks sense, but is not given a hearing.
²³ The rich person speaks and all are silent;
    they extol to the clouds what he says.
The poor person speaks and they say, “Who is this fellow?”
    And should he stumble, they even push him down.
²⁴ Riches are good if they are free from sin;
    poverty is evil only in the opinion of the ungodly.