Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) — Chapter 9

Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she learn malice to practice evil against thee. Lapide expounds the social and moral consequences of jealousy in marriage: it teaches the wife cunning and drives her toward the very evils feared. He cites Cicero, Chrysostom, and Jerome on the nature of marital jealousy as a disease.

Look not upon a woman that hath a mind for many; lest thou fall into her snares. The seductive woman who seeks many men is a trap. Lapide warns that mere visual contact with such a woman can ignite passions beyond control, citing physiological and moral arguments from Aristotle and the Fathers.

Turn away thy face from a woman dressed up, and gaze not about upon another's beauty. The specific danger of the \"compta mulier\" (carefully adorned woman): her appearance is designed to provoke desire. Lapide treats this as the practical application of Job's covenant with his eyes (Job 31:1) and Christ's warning against lustful glancing (Matt. 5:28).

For many have perished by the beauty of a woman, and hereby lust is enkindled as a fire. History bears witness: Samson, David, Solomon all fell through beauty of women. Lapide presents an extensive catalogue of both biblical and classical figures destroyed by feminine beauty.

Forsake not an old friend, for the new will not be like to him. Old friendships, tried by time, are irreplaceable. Lapide uses the image of new wine that must age before equaling old vintage: new friends need time and trial before they can be fully trusted.

A man of great power is terrible; but another man is mightier, that is master of himself. Self-mastery surpasses political power. Lapide cites Aristotle on the greater difficulty of ruling oneself than ruling cities, and connects this to the virtue of continence.

Let just men be thy guests, and let thy glory be in the fear of God. The company one keeps defines one's character. Lapide emphasizes that meals shared with the just are occasions of virtue, while those shared with the wicked corrupt; the table fellowship of the righteous mirrors the Eucharistic community.

In the work of craftsmen their work is commended; and a wise man of the people shall have honour for his word. Excellence in one's craft and excellence in wise speech both bring honor. Lapide notes that wisdom manifested in skillful speech is the highest civic good.