Ben Sira 20:13-23

13 The wise man makes himself beloved through his words, but the courtesies of fools are wasted.
14 A fool's gift will profit you nothing, for he has many eyes instead of one.
15 He gives little and upbraids much, he opens his mouth like a herald; today he lends and tomorrow he asks it back; such a one is a hateful man.
16 A fool will say, "I have no friend, and there is no gratitude for my good deeds; those who eat my bread speak unkindly."
17 How many will ridicule him, and how often!
18 A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue; so the downfall of the wicked will occur speedily.
19 An ungracious man is like a story told at the wrong time, which is continually on the lips of the ignorant.
20 A proverb from a fool's lips will be rejected, for he does not tell it at its proper time.
21 A man may be prevented from sinning by his poverty, so when he rests he feels no remorse.
22 A man may lose his life through shame, or lose it because of his foolish look.
23 A man may for shame make promises to a friend, and needlessly make him an enemy.
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.