Ben Sira - chapter 31

31: 1-31 (translated by Edgar Goodspeed)
Anxiety about wealth makes a person waste away, and his worry about it drives away his sleep.  Wakefulness and worry banish drowsiness as a serious illness dispels sleep.  A rich man toils to amass money, and when he stops to rest, he enjoys luxury; a poor man toils for the want of a livelihood, and if he stops to rest, he finds himself in want.  The person who loves gold cannot be called upright, and the one who pursues profits will be led astray by them.  Many have been brought to their downfall because of gold and have been brought face to face with ruin.  It is a stumbling block to those who are posessed by it, and every fool is taken captive by it.  Happy is the rich person who is found blameless, and does not go after gold; who is he? -- that we may congratulate him, for he has worked wonders among his people.  Who has been tested by it and found perfect?  That one has a right to boast.  Who has been able to transgress and has not transgressed, and to do wrong and has not done it?  His prosperity will be lasting, and the congregation will talk of his charities.  Do you sit at a great table?  Do not gulp at it, and do not say, "How much there is on it!"  Remember than an envious eye is wrong.  What has been created that is worse than the eye?  That is why it sheds tears on every face.  Do not reach out your hand wherever it looks, and do not crowd your neighbor in the dish; be considerate of him of your own accord, and be thoughtful in everything.  Eat like a human being what is served to you, do not champ your food, or you will be detested.  Be the first to leave off for good manners' sake, and do not be greedy, or you will give offense.  Even though you are seated in a large company, do not be the first to help yourself.  How adequate a little is for a well-bred man!  He does not have to gasp upon his bed!  Healthy sleep results from moderation in eating; one gets up in the morning, in good spirits.  The distress of sleeplessness and indigestion and colic attend the greedy man.  If you are compelled to eat, get up in the middle of the meal and stop eating.  Listen to me, my child, and do not disregard me.  And in the end you will find my words true: be industrious in all your work, and no disease will overtake you.  The man who is generous with his bread men's lips will bless, and their testimony to his goodness can be relied on.  the town will grumble at the one who is grudging with his bread, and their testimony to his stinginess is correct.  Do not play the man about wine, for wine has been the ruin of many.  The furnace proves the steel's temper by dipping it; so wine tests hearts when proud men quarrel.  Wine is like life to men if you drink it in moderation; what life has a man who is without wine?  for it was created to give gladness to men.  An exhilaration to the heart and gladness to the soul is wine, drunk at the proper time and in sufficient quantity; bitterness to the soul is much drinking of wine amidst irritation and conflict. Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury, reducing his strength and causing wounds.  Do not rebuke your neighbor at a banquet, and do not despise him in his mirth.  Do not say a reproachful word to him, and do not press him to repay you.