Ben Sira 22:8

8 Explaining something to a fool is like explaining it to a sleepy person; when you have finished, he'll say, "What was that again?"

Ben Sira 22:8 In-Context

6 Lecturing your children can sometimes be as out of place as singing to people in mourning, but a whipping is a wise choice of discipline at any time.

7 Trying to teach a fool is like gluing a broken pot back together, like waking someone out of a deep sleep.

8 Explaining something to a fool is like explaining it to a sleepy person; when you have finished, he'll say, "What was that again?"

Footnotes

• [a] [Some manuscripts add verses 9-10:] Children who are brought up well do not show the humble origin of their parents. +V10+WChildren who are not brought up well, who are arrogant and conceited, are a stain on the noblest family.