Read & explore together
Let gracious words accompany gifts
Sirach teaches that giving is not only about the gift itself. In these sayings, words matter too. Kind speech can help a person receive a gift well, while harsh or grudging speech can spoil what looked like a good deed.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage comes from Sirach, a wisdom book in the Catholic additional books. These verses speak directly as instruction, using comparison and contrast. The writer addresses “My son”, gives practical advice about giving, compares words to dew in heat, and contrasts gracious people with fools and grudging givers.
Sirach 18:15–18Main takeaway
This passage teaches that a truly gracious person gives with both kindness and generosity.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Do not spoil a good deedThe first saying warns that a good deed can be damaged by the way it is delivered. Sirach says not to add reproach to good deeds and not to use harsh words when giving.
Explanation
The first saying warns that a good deed can be damaged by the way it is delivered. Sirach says not to add reproach to good deeds and not to use harsh words when giving. “Reproach” means words that shame, insult, or embarrass the other person. The passage cares about both action and speech.
02Words can bring reliefSirach then uses a picture from everyday life. Dew relieves scorching heat, bringing refreshment.
Explanation
Sirach then uses a picture from everyday life. Dew relieves scorching heat, bringing refreshment. In the same way, a fitting word can bring relief to a person. The comparison does not say gifts are worthless. It teaches that words can be deeply helpful, even better than the gift by itself.
03The best giving joins gift and graceThe next verse balances the comparison. It again says a word is better than a gift, but then adds that both belong with a gracious person.
Explanation
The next verse balances the comparison. It again says a word is better than a gift, but then adds that both belong with a gracious person. The point is not to choose between speaking and giving. A gracious person joins generous action with gracious speech, so the whole act reflects kindness.
04Ungracious giving harms instead of helpsThe final saying gives the opposite example. A fool is called ungracious and abusive. A grudging person may still give, but the gift is described negatively because their attitude damages it.
Explanation
The final saying gives the opposite example. A fool is called ungracious and abusive. A grudging person may still give, but the gift is described negatively because their attitude damages it. The phrase about consuming the eyes shows that such giving is painful rather than refreshing. The passage warns against resentful generosity.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to Sirach 18:15, what can be added to a good deed that makes it worse?
Look for the two things the verse forbids during giving: reproach and harsh words.
02How does the picture of dew in Sirach 18:16 help explain the value of a word?
Think about what dew does in scorching heat, and how kind speech can bring a similar kind of relief.
03What contrast do you see between the gracious person and the grudging person in Sirach 18:17-18?
Compare the person who has both kind words and a gift with the fool who is ungracious, abusive, and grudging.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 18:15–18
15My son, don’t add reproach to your good deeds, and no harsh words in any of your giving.
16Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift.
17Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift? Both are with a gracious person.
18A fool is ungracious and abusive. The gift of a grudging person consumes the eyes.