Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum jurgio.
2 A prudent servant, shall rule over a son who causeth shame, and, in the midst of brothers, shall he share the inheritance.
Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hæreditatem dividet.
3 Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.
Sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino, ita corda probat Dominus.
4 Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip, —Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ, et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
5 He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.
Qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori ejus, et qui ruina lætatur alterius non erit impunitus.
6 The crown of old men, consists of children’s children, and the adornment of children, is their fathers.
Corona senum filii filiorum, et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
7 Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
Non decent stultum verba composita, nec principem labium mentiens.
8 A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.
Gemma gratissima exspectatio præstolantis; quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
9 He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.
Qui celat delictum quærit amicitias; qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
10 A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!
Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
11 Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.
Semper jurgia quærit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
12 Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!
Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
13 He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo ejus.
14 A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
Qui dimittit aquam caput est jurgiorum, et antequam patiatur contumeliam judicium deserit.
15 He that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.
Qui justificat impium, et qui condemnat justum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.
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 At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.
Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est, et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
18 A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.
Stultus homo plaudet manibus, cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
19 A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.
Qui meditatur discordias diligit rixas, et qui exaltat ostium quærit ruinam.
20 The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.
Qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum, et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum.
21 He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam; sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
22 A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure, —but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit; spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa.
23 A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas judicii.
24 Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.
In facie prudentis lucet sapientia; oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
25 A vexation to his father, is the son that is a dullard, and a bitterness, to her that bare him.
Ira patris filius stultus, et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
26 Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.
Non est bonum damnum inferre justo, nec percutere principem qui recta judicat.
27 Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.
Qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est, et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
28 Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, —He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.
Stultus quoque, si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur, et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
