Ben Sira - chapter 30

30: 1-25 (translated by Edgar Goodspeed)
The man who loves his son will continually beat him, so that he may be glad at the end.  The man who disciplines his son will profit by him, and boast of him among his acquaintances; the man who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and exult over him before his friends.  When his father dies, it is as though he were not dead, for he leaves behind him one like himself.  In his lifetime he sees him and rejoices, and in death he does not grieve.  He has left one to avenge him upon his enemies, and to repay the kindness of his friends.  The man who spoils his son will have to bind up his wounds, and his heart will tremble at every cry.  An unbroken horse turns out stubborn, and a son left to himself grows up headstrong.  If you pamper your child, he will astonish you.  Play with him, and he will grieve you; do not laugh with him, so that you may not have to mourn with him and gnash your teeth over him at last.  Do not allow him liberty in his youth; bruise his sides while he is a child, so that he will not become stubborn and disobey you.  Discipline your son and take pains with him, so that he will not distress you with his bad behavior.
(verse 14): A poor man who is well and has a strong constitution is better off than a rich man who is afflicted in body.  Health and good constitution are better than any amount of gold, and a strong body than untold riches.  There is no greater wealth than health of body, and there is no greater happiness than gladness of heart.  Death is better than a wretched life, and eternal rest than continual sickness.  Good things spread out before a mouth that is closed are like piles of food laid on a grave.  What good is an offering of fruit to an idol?  It can neither eat nor smell.  That is the way with a man who is afflicted by the Lord: he sees things with his eyes and groans like a eunuch embracing a girl!
(verse 21): Do not give yourself up to sorrow, and do not distress yourself of your own accord.  Gladness of heart is a man's life and exultant joy prolongs his days.  Be kind to yourself and comfort your heart, and put sorrow far from you; for sorrow has destroyed many, and there is no profit in it.  Envy and anger shorten a man's days, and worry brings on old age before its time.  A heart that is cheerful and good will pay attention to the food he eats.