Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ: nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde eius.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
7 Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animæ eius.
The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
10 Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsum currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
17 Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
19 Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
21 Mors, et vita in manu linguæ: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it will eat its fruit.
22 Qui invenit mulierem bonam, invenit bonum: et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam, expellit bonum: qui autem tenet adulteram, stultus est et impius.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Vir amabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
