Ben Sira 6:2-12

2 Do not exalt yourself through your soul's counsel, lest your soul be torn in pieces like a bull.
3 You will devour your leaves and destroy your fruit, and will be left like a withered tree.
4 An evil soul will destroy him who has it, and make him the laughingstock of his enemies.
5 A pleasant voice multiplies friends, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.
6 Let those that are at peace with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand.
7 When you gain a friend, gain him through testing, and do not trust him hastily.
8 For there is a friend who is such at his own convenience, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
9 And there is a friend who changes into an enemy, and will disclose a quarrel to your disgrace.
10 And there is a friend who is a table companion, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
11 In prosperity he will make himself your equal, and be bold with your servants;
12 but if you are brought low he will turn against you, and will hide himself from your presence.
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.