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Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:12-14
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:12-14
New Catholic Bible
Social Conventions and Correctness[a]
Table Etiquette
12 When you are seated at a lavish table,[b]
do not display your greed
or exclaim: “Look at all this!”
13 Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing.
Is any creature more greedy than the eye?
Therefore, it sheds tears at the slightest provocation.
14 Do not reach out for anything your host is eyeing,
or dip in the dish together with him.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:12 The author is a practical educator; he has left us an agreeable code of table etiquette. He does not denigrate either good meals or gaiety; as a well-educated person, he finds pleasure in social conventions and correctness.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:12 At a lavish table: Greek reads: “at the table of the great.”
