Ben Sira 31:13

13 It is impolite to have a greedy eye; remember that. Nothing in creation is greedier than the eye; that is why it sheds tears so often.

Ben Sira 31:13 In-Context

11 If so, he deserves his wealth, and everyone will praise him for his generosity.
12 When you sit down at a fancy banquet, don't let your mouth hang open, and don't say, "Look at all that food!"
13 It is impolite to have a greedy eye; remember that. Nothing in creation is greedier than the eye; that is why it sheds tears so often.
14 Don't reach out for everything you see, and don't elbow people out of the way to get at the food.
15 Be considerate of the other people at the table and treat them the way you want to be treated.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. [Hebrew] so often; [Greek] on every face.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.