Ordsprogene 26

1 Som Sne om Somren og Regn Høsten så lidt hører Ære sig til for en Tåbe.

Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not fitting for a fool.

2 Som en Spurv i Fart, som en Svale i Flugt så rammer ej Banden mod sagesløs Mand.

Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

3 Svøbe for Hest, Bidsel for Æsel og Ris for Tåbers Ryg.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

4 Svar ej Tåben efter hans Dårskab, at ikke du selv skal blive som han.

Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

5 Svar Tåben efter hans Dårskab, at han ikke skal tykkes sig viis.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6 Den afhugger Fødderne og inddrikker Vold, som sender Bud ved en Tåbe.

One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

7 Slappe som den lammes Ben er Ordsprog i Tåbers Mund.

Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 Som en, der binder Stenen fast i Slyngen, er den, der hædrer en Tåbe.

As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honour to a fool.

9 Som en Tornekæp, der falder den drukne i Hænde, er Ordsprog i Tåbers Mund.

Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 Som en Skytte, der sårer enhver, som kommer, er den, der lejer en Tåbe og en drukken.

As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

11 Som en Hund, der vender sig om til sit Spy, er en Tåbe, der gentager Dårskab.

As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

12 Ser du en Mand, der tykkes sig viis, for en Tåbe er der mere Håb end for ham.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 Den lade siger: "Et Rovdyr på Vejen, en Løve ude på Torvene!"

The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”

14 Døren drejer sig på sit Hængsel, den lade på sit Leje.

As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.

15 Den lade rækker til Fadet, men gider ikke føre Hånden til Munden.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

16 Den lade tykkes sig større Vismand end syv, der har kloge Svar.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

17 Den griber en Hund i Øret, som blander sig i uvedkommende Strid.

Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

18 Som en vanvittig Mand, der udslynger Gløder, Pile og Død,

Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

19 er den, der sviger sin Næste og siger: "Jeg spøger jo kun."

is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?”

20 Er der intet Brænde, går Ilden ud, er der ingen Bagtaler, stilles Trætte.

For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

21 Trækul til Gløder og Brænde til Ild og trættekær Mand til at optænde Kiv.

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

22 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Legemets Kamre.

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.

23 Som Sølvovertræk på et Lerkar er ondsindet Hjerte bag glatte Læber.

Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

24 Avindsmand hykler med Læben, i sit Indre huser han Svig;

A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbours evil in his heart.

25 gør han Røsten venlig, tro ham dog ikke, thi i hans Hjerte er syvfold Gru.

When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Den, der dølger sit Had med Svig, hans Ondskab kommer frem i Folkets Forsamling.

His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

27 I Graven, man graver, falder man selv, af Stenen, man vælter, rammes man selv.

Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

28 Løgnetunge giver mange Hug, hyklersk Mund volder Fald.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.