Sirach 31 Clementine Vulgate
1 [Vigilia honestatis tabefaciet carnes, et cogitatus illius auferet somnum.
1 Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, and anxiety about it takes away sleep.
2 Cogitatus præscientiæ avertit sensum, et infirmitas gravis sobriam facit animam.
2 Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber. In a severe disease, sleep will be broken.
3 Laboravit dives in congregatione substantiæ, et in requie sua replebitur bonis suis.
3 A rich man toils in gathering money together. When he rests, he is filled with his good things.
4 Laboravit pauper in diminutione victus, et in fine inops fit.
4 A poor man toils in lack of substance. When he rests, he becomes needy.
5 Qui aurum diligit non justificabitur, et qui insequitur consumptionem replebitur ex ea.
5 He who loves gold won’t be justified. He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it.
6 Multi dati sunt in auri casus, et facta est in specie ipsius perditio illorum.
6 Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold. Their destruction meets them face to face.
7 Lignum offensionis est aurum sacrificantium: væ illis qui sectantur illud ! et omnis imprudens deperiet in illo.
7 It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. Every fool will be taken by it.
8 Beatus dives qui inventus est sine macula, et qui post aurum non abiit, nec speravit in pecunia et thesauris.
8 Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless, and who doesn’t go after gold.
9 Quis est hic? et laudabimus eum: fecit enim mirabilia in vita sua.
9 Who is he, that we may call him blessed? For he has done wonderful things among his people.
10 Qui probatus est in illo, et perfectus est, erit illi gloria æterna: qui potuit transgredi, et non est transgressus; facere mala, et non fecit.
10 Who has been tried by it, and found perfect? Then let him boast. Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed? And to do evil, and has not done it?
11 Ideo stabilita sunt bona illius in Domino, et eleemosynas illius enarrabit omnis ecclesia sanctorum.]
11 His prosperity will be made sure. The congregation will proclaim his alms.
12 [Supra mensam magnam sedisti? non aperias super illam faucem tuam prior.
12 Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there. Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!”
13 Non dicas sic: Multa sunt, quæ super illam sunt.
13 Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing. What has been created more greedy than an eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.
14 Memento quoniam malus est oculus nequam.
14 Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish.
15 Nequius oculo quid creatum est? ideo ab omni facie sua lacrimabitur, cum viderit.
15 Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point.
16 Ne extendas manum tuam prior, et invidia contaminatus erubescas.
16 Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hated.
17 Ne comprimaris in convivio.
17 Be first to stop for manners’ sake. Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend.
18 Intellige quæ sunt proximi tui ex teipso.
18 And if you sit among many, Don’t reach out your hand before them.
19 Utere quasi homo frugi his quæ tibi apponuntur: ne, cum manducas multum, odio habearis.
19 How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little. He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed.
20 Cessa prior causa disciplinæ: et noli nimius esse, ne forte offendas.
20 Healthy sleep comes from moderate eating. He rises early, and his wits are with him. The pain of wakefulness, colic, and griping are with an insatiable man.
21 Et si in medio multorum sedisti, prior illis ne extendas manum tuam, nec prior poscas bibere.
21 And if you have been forced to eat, rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest.
22 Quam sufficiens est homini eruditio vinum exiguum ! et in dormiendo non laborabis ab illo, et non senties dolorem.
22 Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your works be skillful, and no disease will come to you.
23 Vigilia, cholera et tortura viro infrunito,
23 People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed.
24 somnus sanitatis in homine parco: dormiet usque mane, et anima illius cum ipso delectabitur.
24 The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate.
25 Et si coactus fueris in edendo multum, surge e medio, evome, et refrigerabit te, et non adduces corpori tuo infirmitatem.
25 Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many.
26 Audi me, fili, et ne spernas me, et in novissimo invenies verba mea.
26 The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quarreling of the proud.
27 In omnibus operibus tuis esto velox, et omnis infirmitas non occurret tibi.
27 Wine is as good as life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What life is there to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.
28 Splendidum in panibus benedicent labia multorum, et testimonium veritatis illius fidele.
28 Wine drunk in season and in moderation is joy of heart and gladness of soul:
29 Nequissimo in pane murmurabit civitas, et testimonium nequitiæ illius verum est.
29 Wine drunk excessively is bitterness of soul, with provocation and conflict.
30 Diligentes in vino noli provocare: multos enim exterminavit vinum.
30 Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt. It diminishes strength and adds wounds.
31 Ignis probat ferrum durum: sic vinum corda superborum arguet in ebrietate potatum.
31 Don’t rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine. Don’t despise him in his mirth. Don’t speak a word of reproach to him. Don’t distress him by making demands of him.
32 Æqua vita hominibus vinum in sobrietate: si bibas illud moderate, eris sobrius.
32 Not in this translation
33 Quæ vita est ei qui minuitur vino?
33 Not in this translation
34 Quid defraudat vitam? mors.
34 Not in this translation
35 Vinum in jucunditatem creatum est, et non in ebrietatem ab initio.
35 Not in this translation
36 Exsultatio animæ et cordis vinum moderate potatum.
36 Not in this translation
37 Sanitas est animæ et corpori sobrius potus.
37 Not in this translation
38 Vinum multum potatum irritationem, et iram, et ruinas multas facit.
38 Not in this translation
39 Amaritudo animæ vinum multum potatum.
39 Not in this translation
40 Ebrietatis animositas, imprudentis offensio, minorans virtutem, et faciens vulnera.
40 Not in this translation
41 In convivio vini non arguas proximum, et non despicias eum in jucunditate illius.
41 Not in this translation
42 Verba improperii non dicas illi, et non premas illum repetendo.]
42 Not in this translation