He who touches tar will be soiled; he who associates with an arrogant man will become like him.
Do not carry too heavy a load; do not make friends with someone stronger and richer than you. Why put the earthen pot near the iron one? One will bang the other and break it.
The rich man does wrong and is unconcerned; the poor is insulted and apologizes.
The rich man uses you as long as you are useful to him; when you have nothing left he deserts you.
He will stay with you as long as you have something; he will drain you without a second thought.
If he really needs you he will deceive you, smile at you and raise your hopes; he will speak smooth words and say, "What would you like?"
He will show his gratitude by entertaining you until he has taken all you possess, and he will make fun of you in the end. Afterwards, when he sees you, he will have nothing to do with you, shaking his head when he meets you.
Take care not to be deceived and humiliated through stupidity.
When an influential person invites you, delay and he will call you all the more.
Do not go so far forward that you are pushed aside or so far back that you are overlooked.
Do not try to talk to him as an equal or trust his many words. With all this verbiage he is only trying to test you and, under pretense of kindness, he is weighing you up.
He will repeat your words without pity and will not spare you either blows or chains.
Be wary and take great care because you are walking with your own stumbling block.
Sirach 13:1-13