In his book, a wise Ben Sira frequently reflects upon human talking (5.9–6.1; 19.4-17; 20.1-8.18- 26.27-31; 23.7-15; 27,11-21.22-29; 28.8-26; 37.16-18; see also 51.1-12). As a teacher of wisdom he educates the youth toward correct speech by illuminating various polarities in the use of a word: between the silence and the word, between the exterior and the interior, between wise and a foolish talk, and shows all the elements that influence the wise/foolish talk/speaker. Since Ben Sira is not only a ‘wise man’ but also a ‘theologian,’ one can see that throughout the book he often goes beyond the level of human wisdom towards the level of the wisdom of God who is the source of all wisdom, of the word and grace, since foolish speaking is often associated with sin and sinful behaviour. In his way of thinking, by which he repeatedly keeps dealing with the same topic from various perspectives, the wise Ben Sira dedicates a special place to prayer, through which he asks God to be able to use the language moderately. Furthermore, he turns to God for help or thanksgiving, as when he himself became the object of calumny and false talk. The article highlights the features of the larger units that deal with this topic and reads them in a dialogue with the traditions of extra–Biblical literature, in light of the wisdom tradition in the Old Testament, and especially within the history of salvation.
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