Sirach 14:23 - He that pries in at her windows Shall also hearken at her doors.

Generated Verse: Sirach 14:23

What does "Sirach 14:23" mean?


Sirach 14:23, "He that pries in at her windows Shall also hearken at her doors," is a proverb about the pursuit of wisdom. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"She" refers to Wisdom: In the Book of Sirach (also called Ecclesiasticus), wisdom is often personified as a woman, highly valued and sought after.

"Pries in at her windows": This represents trying to understand wisdom in a superficial or incomplete way. It implies looking for quick answers or shortcuts, rather than deeply engaging with learning. It's like peeking into a house instead of entering and truly understanding what's inside.

"Shall also hearken at her doors": This describes someone who is forced to listen at the doors because they are not invited inside. This means that those who are not willing to take the time and effort to understand wisdom in depth will be left outside, only hearing fragments or echoes of it. They will only grasp a partial understanding and not truly benefit from its richness.

In essence, the verse means:

>If you try to gain wisdom through shortcuts or superficial means (peeking), you will only receive incomplete or second-hand knowledge (listening at the door). True understanding requires a more thorough and dedicated approach.

Think of it like this:

Imagine someone trying to learn a new language by only listening to conversations in passing. They might pick up a few words and phrases, but they won't truly understand the grammar, context, or nuances of the language. To truly learn the language, they need to study, practice, and engage with it deeply.

The verse in Sirach encourages a deeper engagement with wisdom, rather than just a superficial pursuit of it.