Sirach 32

"Because the Lord loves judgment and will not abandon his holy ones." In what sense does the Lord love judgment? Because nothing in him is not weighed thoroughly, nothing happens without a reason. Consequently you also, knowing that the Lord loves judgment, do everything with an honest and truthful judgment. Thus you will listen to the admonition of him who says, "Do everything sensibly, drink wine with prudence."

Joshua gave the inheritance to all of the children of Judah. He who gave it to Ephraim and to the half-tribe of Manasseh. He gave the inheritance to the glorious Caleb, son of Jephunneh, having sent three men from each tribe to go through the country and describe it in a book and return to show it to them. He himself drew the lots for all and reserved the last place for himself. Why do you think he wanted to be last? Certainly to be the first of all. He did not take this part of himself but received it from the people, who gave the inheritance to the one from whom they had received it. In fact, it is written, "The children of Israel gave the part to Joshua, son of Nun." "But this happened to them as a sign," that it might be proposed as a model for us and that we in turn might observe the precept he practiced, which says, "The greater you are, the more humble you will be, and thus you will find grace with the Lord," and also that which is written, "If they have made you the head, do not exalt yourself but be among them as one of them."

What is the head of the virtues? Humility. He therefore begins with it, saying, "Blessed are the poor." This head has neither tresses nor curls but a beauty such as to attract God to itself. "On whom," he says, "will I turn my gaze but on the meek, humble one who fears my words?" And, "My eyes are on the meek of the earth." And, "The Lord is near to the contrite of heart." This head, instead of having hair and tresses, offers sacrifices pleasing to God. It is an altar of gold, a spiritual altar. "A contrite spirit, in fact, is a sacrifice to God." This is the mother of wisdom. If someone has this, he will have the rest as well. Have you seen a head that you have never seen before? Do you want to see, indeed to know, the face as well? Observe first its red, blooming color, with many graces, and learn where these come from. Well, where do they come from? From decency and from blushing. For this reason someone said, "Grace precedes a modest person." It sheds a great beauty even on the other members. Even if one mixes colors beyond number, they will not attain such beauty. If you want to see the eyes as well, observe that they are precisely delineated by modesty and temperance. They become so beautiful and perceptive that they are able to see even the Lord. Indeed, he says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

"May it be exalted" means nothing other than that the thing in question be raised on high. When this expression is used in a bad sense, it usually means pride, as when the Scripture says, "Do not exalt yourself in your wisdom," whereas if it is understood in a good sense, the expression supposes a greater honor, as if the thing really were raised on high. In this sense it is written, "In the nights, lift your hands toward the holy, and bless the Lord."

But on the other hand the hasty, while they forestall the time of good deeds, pervert their merit, and often fall into what is evil, while failing altogether to discern what is good. Such persons look not at all to see what things they are doing when they do them, but for the most part, when they are done, become aware that they ought not to have done them. To such, under the guise of a learner, it is well said in Solomon, "My son, do nothing without counsel, and after it is done thou shalt not repent." And again, "Let thine eyelids go before thy steps." For indeed our eyelids go before our steps, when right counsels prevent our doings. For he who neglects to look forward by consideration to what he is about to do advances his steps with his eyes closed; proceeds on and accomplishes his journey, but goes not in advance of himself by looking forward; and therefore the sooner falls, because he gives no heed through the eyelid of counsel to where he should set the foot of action.

Therefore let those who preside study without intermission that in proportion as their power is seen to be great externally it be kept down within themselves internally; that it vanquish not their thought; that the heart be not carried away to delight in it; lest the mind become unable to control that which in lust of domination it submits itself to. For, lest the heart of a ruler should be betrayed into elation by delight in personal power, it is rightly said by a certain wise man They have made thee a leader: lift not up thyself, but be among them as one of them. Hence also Peter says, Not as being lords over God's heritage, but being made ensamples to the flock. Hence the Truth in person, provoking us to higher virtuous desert, says, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are greater exercise authority upon them. It shall not be so among you, but whosoever will be greater among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered to, but to minister. Hence also He indicates what punishments are in store for the servant who has been elated by his assumption of government, saying, But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken, the Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. For he is rightly numbered among the hypocrites, who under pretence of discipline turns the ministry of government to the purpose of domination.