Ben Sira 21:19-28

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.
22 The foot of a fool rushes into a house, but a man of experience stands respectfully before it.
23 A boor peers into the house from the door, but a cultivated man remains outside.
24 It is ill-mannered for a man to listen at a door, and a discreet man is grieved by the disgrace.
25 The lips of strangers will speak of these things, but the words of the prudent will be weighed in the balance.
26 The mind of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is in their mind.
27 When an ungodly man curses his adversary, he curses his own soul.
28 A whisperer defiles his own soul and is hated in his neighborhood.
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.