Sirach 31:27
King James VersionSource notes
“Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.”
Context
24But against him that is a niggard of his meat the whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his niggardness shall not be doubted of.
25Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.
26The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.
27Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.
28Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:
29But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.
30Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.