21 The pipe and the lute make pleasant melody. A pleasant tongue is better than both. (WEB)
Sirach 40:21
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 6:4–6
4 A wicked soul will destroy him who has it, and will make him a laughing stock to his enemies. (WEB) 5 Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends. A gracious tongue will multiply courtesies. (WEB) 6 Let those that are at peace with you be many, but your advisers one of a thousan… (WEB)
Proverbs 16:23–25
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 15:3–5
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. 4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. 5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
Proverbs 12:17–19
17 He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. 18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Sirach 32:5–7
5 As a ruby signet in a setting of gold, so is a music concert at a wine banquet. (WEB) 6 As an emerald signet in a work of gold, so is musical melody with pleasant wine. (WEB) 7 Speak, young man, if you are obliged to, but no more than twice, and only if asked. (WEB)
Proverbs 25:10–12
10 lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
Sirach 18:16–18
16 Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift. (WEB) 17 Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift? Both are with a gracious person. (WEB) 18 A fool is ungracious and abusive. The gift of a grudging person consumes the eyes. (WEB)
Sirach 20:12–14
12 There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again sevenfold. (WEB) 13 He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted. (WEB) 14 The gift of a fool will not profit you, for he looks for repayment many times instead of o… (WEB)
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