Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) — Chapter 11
Chapter 11 continues the theme of humility and modesty, treating six modes of modesty (vv. 1-13), then two motives to modesty from God's sovereign distribution of goods and from the imminence of death (vv. 14-30), and finally the danger of receiving hostile guests into one's home (vv. 31-36). The chapter teaches that God alone—not human effort—is the source of wealth, wisdom, and all good things.
Verse 1
The wisdom of the humble shall exalt his head, and shall make him sit in the midst of great men. Wisdom combined with humility elevates even the lowly to positions of honor among the great. Lapide cites Christ's threefold repetition of the law of humiliation/exaltation and notes its fulfillment in the election of humble popes and bishops.
Verse 7
Before thou inquire, blame no man; and when thou hast inquired, reprove justly. The virtue of judicial modesty: no judgment before adequate investigation. Lapide treats this as a principle of both civic justice and personal fraternal correction.
Verse 10
My son, meddle not with many matters; if thou be rich, thou shalt not be free from sin. The multiplication of business ventures multiplies occasions of sin. Lapide counsels simplicity and concentration in one's vocation rather than restless diversification of activities.
Verse 14
Good things and evil, life and death, poverty and riches, are from God. All the circumstances of life—good and evil, wealth and poverty—come from God's sovereign disposition. Lapide uses this as the foundation for resigned acceptance of one's state and trust in divine Providence.
Verse 18
There is one that is enriched by living sparingly, and this is the portion of his reward. The miser who enriches himself by abstaining from legitimate goods lives a life of false self-denial. Lapide distinguishes evangelical poverty (embraced for God) from miserly hoarding (embraced for self).
Verse 20
And in the day of his end he shall find no good work, and he shall be surprised and afraid. The sudden death that overtakes the rich man absorbed in his goods leaves him without good works. Lapide cites the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:20) as the definitive commentary on this verse.
Verse 22
Wait on God with patience, and be steadfast in His covenant. Patient waiting on God, faithful to His covenant, is the only secure foundation. Lapide treats this as the positive alternative to all the anxious self-reliance condemned in the preceding verses.
Verse 31
The stranger, being known, shall be afraid of him; but when he hath left thee, he shall not be satisfied. The cunning stranger who enters one's house conceals his malice at first but works destruction over time. Lapide warns against excessive hospitality to unknown or untrustworthy persons.