Ben Sira 25:8-18

8 happy is he who lives with an intelligent wife, and he who has not made a slip with his tongue, and he who has not served a man inferior to himself;
9 happy is he who has gained good sense, and he who speaks to attentive listeners.
10 How great is he who has gained wisdom! But there is no one superior to him who fears the Lord.
11 The fear of the Lord surpasses everything; to whom shall be likened the one who holds it fast?
13 Any wound, but not a wound of the heart! Any wickedness, but not the wickedness of a wife!
14 Any attack, but not an attack from those who hate! And any vengeance, but not the vengeance of enemies!
15 There is no venom worse than a snake's venom, and no wrath worse than an enemy's wrath.
16 I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than dwell with an evil wife.
17 The wickedness of a wife changes her appearance, and darkens her face like that of a bear.
18 Her husband takes his meals among the neighbors, and he cannot help sighing bitterly.
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.