Shame (Sir 20:21-20:23)

“One may be prevented

From sinning

By poverty.

When he rests,

He feels no remorse.

One may lose his life

Through shame.

One may lose his life

Because of his foolish look.

Another out of shame

Make promises to a friend.

Thus he makes an enemy

For nothing.”

If you are in poverty, there is less chance of you sinning. Thus when the poor person rests, he does not feel any remorse. However, you can lose your life through shame or some foolish look.   Another person may make promises to a friend that he is not able to keep. He will do this out of shame. Thus he ends up making an enemy for no good reason.

True happiness (Sir 14:1-14:2)

“Happy are those

Who do not blunder with their lips.

They need not suffer remorse for sin.

Happy are those

Whose hearts do not condemn them.

They have not given up their hope.”

Happiness comes to those who do not sin with their lips. Then they have no need to have remorse for their sins. Happiness comes to those who have a good heart that does not condemn them. They have not given up hope. This seems like a simple formula for happiness. Do not sin.