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Wisdom welcomes the discipline that fools reject
Sirach 21:11–21 contrasts wise and foolish responses to God’s ways. The sayings focus on law, instruction, speech, and self-control, showing that wisdom is recognised by how a person receives correction.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage from the Catholic additional books is wisdom teaching, not narrative. Sirach uses brief comparisons to show the difference between prudence and folly. The movement runs from law and the fear of the Lord to knowledge, speech, public words, and the value or rejection of instruction.
Sirach 21:11–21Main takeaway
Sirach teaches that prudent people welcome instruction and use words well, while fools reject wisdom and show it in what they say and how they respond.
Look closely at the words
01Wisdom begins with God’s waysSirach starts by linking wisdom with keeping the law and with the fear of the Lord. It then warns that not every kind of cleverness is good.
Explanation
Sirach starts by linking wisdom with keeping the law and with the fear of the Lord. It then warns that not every kind of cleverness is good. Some cleverness does not lead to instruction at all, but makes bitterness grow instead.
02Wise knowledge gives lifeThe wise man’s knowledge is compared to a flood, and his counsel to a fountain of life. These pictures show abundance and refreshment, as wisdom overflows and helps others.
Explanation
The wise man’s knowledge is compared to a flood, and his counsel to a fountain of life. These pictures show abundance and refreshment, as wisdom overflows and helps others. The fool is the opposite, like a broken vessel that cannot keep what is given, so knowledge does not remain in him.
03A wise word is either received or thrown awaySirach contrasts two hearers. A man of knowledge hears a wise word, commends it, and adds to it.
Explanation
Sirach contrasts two hearers. A man of knowledge hears a wise word, commends it, and adds to it. The wanton man dislikes it and throws it away. This fits the next saying, where foolish chatter is burdensome but wise speech has grace.
04Instruction reveals the heartThe prudent man’s words are sought and pondered. By contrast, wisdom is useless to a fool, and the unwise speak without sense.
Explanation
The prudent man’s words are sought and pondered. By contrast, wisdom is useless to a fool, and the unwise speak without sense. Instruction feels like chains to the unwise, but to the prudent it is like gold jewellery. Even behaviour differs, with the fool loud and the clever man restrained.
Questions to explore
01What does Sirach connect with wisdom in the opening verse?
Look for the two linked ideas in the verse: keeping the law and the fulfilment of the fear of the Lord.
02Which images describe the wise man and the fool in relation to knowledge?
Compare the flood and fountain with the broken vessel, and notice what each image suggests.
03How does the passage show two different responses to instruction?
Notice the contrast between throwing a wise word away and wearing instruction like an ornament of gold.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 21:11–21
11He who keeps the law becomes master of its intent. The fulfilment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
12He who is not clever will not be instructed. There is a cleverness which makes bitterness abound.
13The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood, and his counsel as a fountain of life.
14The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge.
15If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, he will commend it and add to it. The wanton man hears it, and it displeases him, so he throws it away behind his back.
16The chatter of a fool is like a burden in the way, but grace will be found on the lips of the wise.
17The utterance of the prudent man will be sought for in the congregation. They will ponder his words in their heart.
18As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense.
19Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, and as manacles on the right hand.
20A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a clever man smiles quietly.
21Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, and as a bracelet upon his right arm.