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1 Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for [thereby] thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue. 2 Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.] 3 Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree. 4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies. 5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings. 6 Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand. 7 If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him. 8 For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble. 9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach. 10 Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction. 11 But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants. 12 If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face. 13 Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends. 14 A faithfu1l friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure. 15 Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable. 16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him. 17 Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also. 18 My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age. 19 Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon. 20 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her. 21 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long. 22 For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many. 23 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel, 24 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain. 25 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds. 26 Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power. 27 Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go. 28 For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy. 29 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory. 30 For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace. 31 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy. 32 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent. 33 If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise, 34 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise. 35 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee. 36 And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door. 37 Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.
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[AD 856] Rabanus Maurus on Sirach 6:17
The gift of a full and perfect friendship cannot last if it is not among people of similar virtue. And this is what the holy Fathers taught, establishing certain stages in order to arrive at a perfect and unchanging condition of friendship. They said that the first step of true friendship is to despise earthly things and all possessions. Second, everyone should put in check his own will in order to avoid thinking that he is the only wise and sensible person around, preferring his own opinions to those of his neighbor. Third, they said that he should know to defer everything, even the things that he considers useful and necessary, when it will benefit charity and peace. Fourth, he should be convinced that he must not anger himself for no reason at all, whether the anger is just or unjust. Fifth, he should desire that the anger of his brother be assuaged like his own, even if that anger rises against him without reason, knowing that the pain of the one is equally damaging to both; if he lashes out against someone else, he will make every effort to remove that offense of his brother as well. Finally, he should believe that every day might be his last, which sentiment undoubtedly brings about the death of any vice. This conviction not only leaves no place for any sadness in our heart but furthermore stops any movement of evil desire and impedes all sins. Whoever, then, respects these things cannot experience or carry out the bitterness of anger and discord.

Source: ON ECCLESIASTICUS 2:2
[AD 430] Augustine of Hippo on Sirach 6:24
The weakness and the corruptibility of the body are truly fetters that weigh down the soul. The body’s fragility is like the material a persecutor could use for causing pain and suffering, thus forcing many of the saints into impiety. The apostle longed to be unbound from these fetters and to be with Christ, but to remain in the flesh was necessary for the sake of those to whom he was ministering the gospel. Until, then, this corruptible puts on incorruption, and this mortal puts on immortality, the weak flesh will imprison the willing spirit. No one feels these fetters except those who groan inwardly, who are burdened5 and wanting to be clothed with the tabernacle that is from heaven, because death is terrifying and mortal life brings sorrow. The prophet redoubles his own groaning in behalf of these individuals who are suffering so that their groaning may come before the sight of the Lord.Those who are bound by the disciplines of wisdom may also be understood to be fettered. But these disciplines, if patiently endured, can be turned into adornments, which is why it is written, “Put your feet into [wisdom’s] fetters.”

Source: EXPOSITIONS OF THE PSALMS 78:15
[AD 430] Augustine of Hippo on Sirach 6:36
Andrew was Peter’s brother, and we know from the Gospel that the Lord called Peter and Andrew from the ship, saying, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And from that time they joined him and did not leave him. On the present occasion these two followed him, however, not as those who were not again to leave him but to see where he was living and to fulfill the Scripture, “Let your foot wear out the threshold of his doors; get up and come to him continually and be instructed in his commandments.” He showed them where he lived. They came and remained with him.

Source: TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7:9