04_Reymond_224_246 15/07/14 12:18 Pagina 229 THE WISDOM OF WORDS 229 III. The Flexibility of Meaning Based on Context Ben Sira’s teaching stresses in various ways the importance of considering other people’s perspectives. Ben Sira writes that one should not neglect those mourning and should even “mourn with the mourner” (7,34). He admonishes his audience that they “not humiliate the one repenting of sin” and then adds “remember we are all guilty” (8,5). He asks in another passage: “One who has no mercy for a person like himself, can he ask forgiveness for his sins?” (28,4; Gr). In the context of a dinner party he advises: “Know your neighbor like yourself, consider all that you dislike” (31,15; Ms B). Ben Sira also recognizes that the biases and proclivities that people bear over mundane affairs are often different. Observing that people will give advice to suit their own needs (and not that of the person asking for advice), he writes that one should not consult, for example, “a coward about battle … a merchant about prices” (37,11; Ms B). In another passage he notes: “Not everyone (finds) desirable [lit., good] (the same) pleasure, not everyone chooses the same thing” (37,28; Ms B and Bm). This view of humanity suggests that in certain matters some people will never agree. It is not sur- prising, therefore, that Ben Sira assumes that people interpret cer- tain utterances in different ways, based on their invested interests and their biases. The sycophancy of social inferiors and the general bias against the poor are revealed in the following passage that treats the inter- pretation of speech. !ypwÔhÖm !yr[wkm wyrbdw ~ybr wyrz[w rbdm ryX[ ~wqm wl !yaw lykXm rbdw aXw [g [g jwmn ld w[ygy b[ d[ wlkX taw wtksn lkh rbwd ryX[ whwpdhy ~h ~g lqtn ~aw wrmay hz ym rbwd ld The rich (person) speaks and his friends are many, though his words are repugnant, they are considered beautiful. The poor speaks (read rbdm instead of jwmn) and they utter (read waXy) a rebuke (read hr[g), though he speaks a wise thing, he (or, it) has no place (among them). The rich speaks and all are silent, his insight they lift to the clouds. The poor speaks (and) they say “Who is this?” and if he stumbles, they drive him away (13,22-23; Ms A).