Sirach 32:8-10

Good News Translation

⁸ Come to the point and say it all in a few words. Show that you are well-informed, but stay quiet. ⁹ Don't treat important people as if you were their equal and don't make a nuisance of yourself by asking them a lot of questions.^{[a] 10} The reputation of a modest person goes before him, as lightning before thunder.