Do not subject yourself to a foolish fellow: “Don’t allow yourself to be dominated by someone who is stupid” (Good News Translation) is a pretty good way of saying this. A wise person should keep a certain dignity. In languages that do not have the passive voice, we may say “Don’t let a stupid person dominate you [or, make you obey him].” For foolish fellow, see the comments on “fool” at 8.17.

Nor show partiality to a ruler: This points to another way that a wise person can lose his dignity, by giving in and not asserting himself in the presence of people in authority. For partiality see the comments on verse 22. “People in authority” or “influential people” (Good News Translation) is closer to the Greek than ruler. An alternative model for this line is “Do not show more favor to people in authority than you would to anyone else.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Sirach. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.