Ben Sira 21:11-21

11 Whoever keeps the law controls his thoughts, and wisdom is the fulfilment of the fear of the Lord.
12 He who is not clever cannot be taught, but there is a cleverness which increases bitterness.
13 The knowledge of a wise man will increase like a flood, and his counsel like a flowing spring.
14 The mind of a fool is like a broken jar; it will hold no knowledge.
15 When a man of understanding hears a wise saying, he will praise it and add to it; when a reveler hears it, he dislikes it and casts it behind his back.
16 A fool's narration is like a burden on a journey, but delight will be found in the speech of the intelligent.
17 The utterance of a sensible man will be sought in the assembly, and they will ponder his words in their minds.
18 Like a house that has vanished, so is wisdom to a fool; and the knowledge of the ignorant is unexamined talk.
19 To a senseless man education is fetters on his feet, and like manacles on his right hand.
20 A fool raises his voice when he laughs, but a clever man smiles quietly.
21 To a sensible man education is like a golden ornament, and like a bracelet on the right arm.
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.