Ben Sira - chapter 37

37: 1- 31 (translated by Edgar Goodspeed)
Every friend will say, "I am your friend"; but sometimes a friend is a friend only in name.  Is it not a sorrow like that for death itself when a companion and friend turns into an enemy?  O wicked thought! Why were you shaped to cover the earth with deceit?  There are companions who rejoice in their friends' happiness, but, when trouble comes, are against them.  There are companions who labor with a friend for their stomach's sake, who will take up the shield in the face of war.  Do not forget your friend in your heart, and do not be unmindful of him in your wealth.
Every adviser praises good counsel, but some give advice in their own interests.  Be on your guard against advisers and first find out what is for their advantage -- for they will take thought for themselves -- or they will cast the lot against you, and say to you, "Your way is good," and will stand over against you to see what will happen to you.  Do not consult with the man who looks suspiciously at you; conceal your purpose from those who are jealous of you; with a woman about her rival, or with a coward about a war; with a merchant about business, or with a buyer about selling; with an envious man about gratitude, or with a merciless man about kindliness; with an idler about any piece of work, or with a man hired by the year about finishing his work; with a lazy servant about a large undertaking; do not look to these for any advice.  But stay all the time with the godly person who you know keeps the commandments; whose heart is at one with your heart, and who will sorrow with you if you fail.  And hold fast the counsel of your own mind, for you have nothing more to be depended on than it.  For a man's soul is soemtimes wont to bring him news better than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.  And, above all this, intreat the Most High to direct your way in truth.
Every undertaking begins with reason, and consideration precedes every work.  If we trace the changes of the mind, four parts appear, good and evil, life and death.  But it is the tongue that continually rules them.  A man may be shrewd and the instructor of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.  A man skillful in his use of words may be hated; he will fail to get any food.  For agreeableness has not been given him by the Lord, because he has been deprived of all wisdom.  A man may be wise for himself, and the products of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips; a wise man will instruct his own people, and the products of his understanding will be trustworthy; a wise man will be satisfied with blessing, and all who see him will call him happy.  A man's life is numbered by days but the days of Israel are unnumbered.  The wise man will obtain the trust of his people, and his name will live forever.  My child, test your soul while you live, and see what hurts it, and do not give it that.  For not everything is good for everyone, and not everybody enjoys everything.  Do not be insatiable about any luxury, and do not be carried away with food, for sickness comes with excessive eating. and greediness leads to severe illness.  Many have died of greediness, but the one who guards against it prolongs his life.