Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio, quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hereditatem dividet.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
Sicut igne probatur argentum, et aurum camino: ita corda probat Dominus.
4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ: et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Qui despicit pauperem, exprobrat factori eius: et qui ruina lætatur alterius, non erit impunitus.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
Corona senum filii filiorum: et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Non decent stultum verba composita: nec principem labium mentiens.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
Gemma gratissima, expectatio præstolantis: quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
Qui celat delictum, quærit amicitias: qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Semper iurgia quærit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo eius.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
Qui dimittit aquam, caput est iurgiorum: et antequam patiatur contumeliam, iudicium deserit.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
Qui iustificat impium, et qui condemnat iustum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
Quid prodest stulto habere divitias, cum sapientiam emere non possit? Qui altum facit domum suam, quærit ruinam: et qui evitat discere, incidet in mala.
17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est: et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
Stultus homo plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
Qui meditatur discordias, diligit rixas: et qui exaltat ostium, quærit ruinam.
20 One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
Qui perversi cordis est, non inveniet bonum: et qui vertit linguam, incidet in malum.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam: sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit: spiritus tristis exiccat ossa.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas iudicii.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
In facie prudentis lucet sapientia: oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
Ira patris, filius stultus: et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
Non est bonum, damnum inferre iusto: nec percutere principem, qui recta iudicat.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
Qui moderatur sermones suos, doctus et prudens est: et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Stultus quoque si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur: et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
