Sirach 39:1-3

Revised Standard Version

39 On the other hand he who devotes himself
    to the study of the law of the Most High
will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients,
    and will be concerned with prophecies;
² he will preserve the discourse of notable men
    and penetrate the subtleties of parables;
³ he will seek out the hidden meanings of proverbs
    and be at home with the obscurities of parables.