Ben Sira 10:2-12

2 Like the magistrate of the people, so are his officials; and like the ruler of the city, so are all its inhabitants.
3 An undisciplined king will ruin his people, but a city will grow through the understanding of its rulers.
4 The government of the earth is in the hands of the Lord, and over it he will raise up the right man for the time.
5 The success of a man is in the hands of the Lord, and he confers his honor upon the person of the scribe.
6 Do not be angry with your neighbor for any injury, and do not attempt anything by acts of insolence.
7 Arrogance is hateful before the Lord and before men, and injustice is outrageous to both.
8 Sovereignty passes from nation to nation on account of injustice and insolence and wealth.
9 How can he who is dust and ashes be proud? for even in life his bowels decay.
10 A long illness baffles the physician; the king of today will die tomorrow.
11 For when a man is dead, he will inherit creeping things, and wild beasts, and worms.
12 The beginning of man's pride is to depart from the Lord; his heart has forsaken his Maker.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.