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