Ben Sira 22:1-11

1 The indolent may be compared to a filthy stone, and every one hisses at his disgrace.
2 The indolent may be compared to the filth of dunghills; any one that picks it up will shake it off his hand.
3 It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son, and the birth of a daughter is a loss.
4 A sensible daughter obtains her husband, but one who acts shamefully brings grief to her father.
5 An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband, and will be despised by both.
6 Like music in mourning is a tale told at the wrong time, but chastising and discipline are wisdom at all times.
7 He who teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together, or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.
8 He who tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man; and at the end he will say, "What is it?"
11 Weep for the dead, for he lacks the light; and weep for the fool, for he lacks intelligence; weep less bitterly for the dead, for he has attained rest; but the life of the fool is worse than death.
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.