Sirach 8:19 - Open not your heart to every man; And let him not return you a favor.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Sirach 8:19" mean?
The verse Sirach 8:19, "Open not your heart to every man; And let him not return you a favor," contains two separate but related pieces of advice. Let's break them down:
"Open not your heart to every man": This is a warning against indiscriminate trust and vulnerability. It advises caution about sharing your deepest feelings, secrets, and innermost thoughts with just anyone. The idea is that not everyone is trustworthy or has your best interests at heart. Some people might exploit your vulnerability, betray your confidence, or use your secrets against you. It encourages discernment and building trust gradually.
"And let him not return you a favor": This is a more nuanced and less straightforward part. It suggests avoiding situations where you are obligated to return a favor to someone. It could mean the following:
Avoid Manipulation/Control: Accepting a favor from someone can create a sense of obligation, which someone with ill intentions could exploit. They could use the favor as leverage to manipulate you into doing something you don't want to do.
Maintain Independence: By avoiding the need to return a favor, you maintain your independence and freedom. You are not indebted to anyone, and you can make decisions based on your own judgment rather than feeling obligated to someone else.
Prevent Entanglements: Favors can sometimes lead to complex relationships or entanglements that you may later regret. Avoiding the initial obligation helps you steer clear of such situations.
In essence, the verse advocates for a prudent approach to relationships and generosity. It warns against being too trusting or allowing yourself to become indebted to others in ways that could be harmful. It encourages you to be discerning about who you trust and to be cautious about accepting favors that might come with hidden strings attached.
Sirach 8:19 - Open not your heart to every man; And let him not return you a favor.
What does "Sirach 8:19" mean?
The verse Sirach 8:19, "Open not your heart to every man; And let him not return you a favor," contains two separate but related pieces of advice. Let's break them down:
"Open not your heart to every man": This is a warning against indiscriminate trust and vulnerability. It advises caution about sharing your deepest feelings, secrets, and innermost thoughts with just anyone. The idea is that not everyone is trustworthy or has your best interests at heart. Some people might exploit your vulnerability, betray your confidence, or use your secrets against you. It encourages discernment and building trust gradually.
"And let him not return you a favor": This is a more nuanced and less straightforward part. It suggests avoiding situations where you are obligated to return a favor to someone. It could mean the following:
Avoid Manipulation/Control: Accepting a favor from someone can create a sense of obligation, which someone with ill intentions could exploit. They could use the favor as leverage to manipulate you into doing something you don't want to do.
Maintain Independence: By avoiding the need to return a favor, you maintain your independence and freedom. You are not indebted to anyone, and you can make decisions based on your own judgment rather than feeling obligated to someone else.
Prevent Entanglements: Favors can sometimes lead to complex relationships or entanglements that you may later regret. Avoiding the initial obligation helps you steer clear of such situations.
In essence, the verse advocates for a prudent approach to relationships and generosity. It warns against being too trusting or allowing yourself to become indebted to others in ways that could be harmful. It encourages you to be discerning about who you trust and to be cautious about accepting favors that might come with hidden strings attached.