Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Chapter 30

¹He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, that he may have joy of him in the end. ²He that chastiseth his son shall have joy in him, and shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance. ³He that teacheth his son grieveth the enemy: and before his friends he shall rejoice of him. ⁴Though his father die, yet he is as though he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself. ⁵While he lived, he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died, he was not sorrowful. ⁶He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one that shall requite kindness to his friends. ⁷He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; and his bowels will be troubled at every cry. ⁸An horse not broken becometh headstrong: and a child left to himself will be wilful.

⁹Cocker thy child, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he will bring thee to heaviness. ¹⁰Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him, and lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end. ¹¹Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his follies. ¹²Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto thee, and so bring sorrow to thine heart. ¹³Chastise thy son, and hold him to labour, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence unto thee. ¹⁴Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body. ¹⁵Health and good estate of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth. ¹⁶There is no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart.

¹⁷Death is better than a bitter life or continual sickness. ¹⁸Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up are as messes of meat set upon a grave. ¹⁹What good doeth the offering unto an idol? for neither can it eat nor smell: so is he that is persecuted of the Lord. ²⁰He seeth with his eyes and groaneth, as an eunuch that embraceth a virgin and sigheth. ²¹Give not over thy mind to heaviness, and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel. ²²The gladness of the heart is the life of man, and the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days. ²³Love thine own soul, and comfort thy heart, remove sorrow far from thee: for sorrow hath killed many, and there is no profit therein. ²⁴Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness bringeth age before the time.

²⁵A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet.