“The foot of a fool
Rushes into a house.
But an experienced person
Waits respectfully outside.
A boor peers into the house
From the door.
But a cultivated person
Remains outside.
It is ill-mannered
For a person to listen at a door.
The discreet person
Would be grieved by this disgrace.”
Sirach explains the actions of an ill-mannered fool. This fool rudely rushes into a house, while a more experienced wise person would wait respectfully outside the house at the door. A boorish fool would peer in through the windows, but the cultivated wise man would remain outside. This ill-mannered fool would listen at the door, but the discreet wise person would be ashamed and disgraced by this kind of behavior.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 