Our post, Proverbs about friendship, teaches us about human interaction, which we expound on below. We touch on topics such as women, envy, who we associate with, exercising authority, problems of pride, and other related areas. We hope you find our post useful.
On interacting with women Sirach 9:1-9
In all things women, be careful. Your wife is your better half, her good fortune is yours, just as yours is hers. Do not ever be jealous of her, or her of you. In the almighty's eyes, you are one. Women have their ways and relate to each other differently from their male counterparts. They are to be treated with deference but casual entanglements are not to be encouraged. This might be considered an old way of thinking, but it remains the case in many cultures across the globe.
.jpg "Rembrandt- The prodigal son in the tavern, Luke 15:11-32")
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On who you associate with Sirach 9:13-18
Friends are a gift from God. Follow His precepts and these will follow. The ungodly are interested largely in pleasure and gain and nothing else. It’s easy to get caught up in their desires and to forget the creator of all life. Persevere in the straight and narrow, following the Lord's precepts.
The
base concern themselves with pleasure and gain. I used to love watching mafia
movies, but with what I know today, I find them intolerable. You take a life,
for commercial gain; you kill people on the streets, for the right to sell them
drugs. Madness is what it is; a life devoid of God and uncaring of an ultimate
reckoning.
Stay
close to those that seek wisdom and follow the Lord's precepts by action and
not just word. As for what comes out of your mouth, be very careful. You are
judged on every word that you utter or thought you share. If you can control
your speech and thoughts, you will live a very blessed life indeed.
Where there is flagrant injustice, corruption, murder, and the
like, look at the leadership, for they are to blame. A wise ruler passes on the
benefits of wise judgment to his people. As education and wisdom increase, so
do justice and morality grow. A well-educated population (especially in the
ways of wisdom), replaces base desires with spiritual ones.
Sir Thomas More, a Saint in the Catholic and Anglican traditions
said something to the effect that “A government that ill educates its people,
and expects anything other than recalcitrant behaviour is fooling itself”
Only wisdom determines who rules and who does not. The Lord gives us who we deserve.
On Pride Sirach 10:6-18
How can a creature that is dust and ashes be proud? In this life,
revere your maker and love your neighbour, and it will be well for you at the
end of the days. There will be recognition and recompense for the good that we
will have done.
Varancx- The blind leading the blind
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This is all about showing reverence to the Lord's precepts,
walking in humility even when you are blessed with much, and never making a
show of how important you are. In my observation, the great are accorded honour
by others; they don’t accord it to themselves. Fools, exalt themselves.
Humility is a learned practice, it does not come naturally, and
certainly not easy since it is counter to our natural instinct of
self-importance.
On Knowledge and Intelligence Sirach
10:30-31
It doesn’t follow that the two don’t go hand in hand. We pray for both wisdom and wealth, the wisdom to acquire the wealth; and the wealth of wisdom to maintain it.
On humility Sirach
11:1-3
Humility and natural intelligence can raise you to great heights;
for humility has God's approval. As for the size or look of a man, these are of
no consequence. Focus more on his thoughts, speech, and actions. Was David not
a slight fellow compared to his brothers, but he was first a Lion slaying
Shepherd, then a Giant slayer, and then a King. The story does not end there
however, he proceeded to become an adulterer and a killer of an innocent man,
and a warmonger. Wisdom does not remain in one perpetually without effort. She
demands continual obeisance to her, and if you fail to heed her, she
flees.
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On friends and On exalting oneself Sirach 11:4-6
Be careful about resting and glorifying your laurels. Approach
success with humility, knowing full well that better men have not been given
the honor or opportunity; and those better that have, may have failed. Such an
attitude keeps pride at bay.
On being judicious Sirach
11:7-9
On finding fault, remember the Wisdom of Solomon and the two
women. Listen to both sides first before arriving at a decision. As for
listening, never respond unless you fully understand what you are being asked.
As a general rule, stay out of other people’s businesses, unless it’s a matter
of public interest and justice. Yes, we who are able, must speak out for what
is right but do not be tricked by friends and enemies alike to involve ourselves
in a matter that does not concern you.
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On relying largely on God Sirach 11: 10-28
Have a plan for everything that you do. What best suits you, will
come from within you, and if you call on wisdom, she will direct you on what is
best. Don’t be swayed by every fad that comes along. Take the time to know
yourself and seek out what comes naturally.
If you are attracted to what is mundane and probably saturated,
know that there is a reason for it. The way that you approach something, is not
the same way others do. We are all gifted differently; let these gifts given to
us by wisdom direct you. Don’t build castles in the air; wisdom cannot be
presumed. Focus on where you are and what you have and thank her, for many
don’t have anything at all.
Pray for guidance for the future. Have a plan, but don’t presume
its success. Never say you have enough. Remember the parable of the rich old
fool? Always seek wise counsel, enjoy what you have, and make the needs of your
neighbour lighter. No plans cannot go awry, and with this in mind know that you
rely on her graciousness for your advancement.
On being careful of evil Sirach 11:29-34
This goes back to trusting too easily. You have self-worth by
being a human being. Don’t ingratiate yourself to others to the point of
ignoring the natural warning signs that come from listening and looking at the
actions committed by those you call friends. The words they utter, the thoughts
they share, the ultimate things they love, and how they carry themselves;
observe these things, and you will know the kind of person you associate with.
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On being godly Sirach 12:1-4
Naturally,
all people of goodwill want to aid their neighbour. It is however incumbent upon
us not to give without thought. Many scoundrels will masquerade as needy and
scuttle your good intentions. Indeed, the sin lies with them, but one should
exercise due care. The same goes for friends, know their worth to you as
friends by listening to what they say, and observing how they act; don’t be too
quick to call them friends. I find that in the same way you know a man by word
and deed, the same goes for institutions purporting to help the needy.
On
helping others Sirach
12: 5-7
Again
the principle of observing and listening to friends or would-be friends should
be used. It’s no different from the way banks look at character and integrity
as key items, even before the ability to repay a loan. Don’t call anyone your
friend, until they have been properly tested. Listen to their speech,
understand their thoughts, and watch their actions and you will know the
measure of the man you associate with.
The
expression fair weather friend is given more meaning here. If you are doing
well, everyone is your friend, for your needs are largely self-met. The
contrast is true; you will know your enemies and true friends when you must
reach out to others for assistance. To better understand your enemy, watch their gestures and try to see who seems unhappy about your progress, and who is glad
about your failure. Just watch, observe and listen. It will come. Nobody can
hide his true character for too long. In the interim, keep your thoughts and
observations to yourself.
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On enemies Sirach 12:10-18
This is a hard one. Schemers like this exist everywhere, the trick is to stay away from them. How do you stay away? Simple, look for those whose ultimate joy is a love of wisdom, and who practice the same. Words, speech, writing, gestures, character, and so on. Observe these before letting them into your heart. Wisdom will guide you to the kind of people that deserve your company.
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