Proverbiorum 26
1 Quomodo nix in æstate, et pluviæ in messe: sic indecens est stulto gloria.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quo libet vadens: sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
3 Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Ne respondeas stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Responde stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne sibi sapiens esse videatur.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuncium stultum.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
7 Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias: sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii: ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti: sic parabola in ore stultorum.
As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Iudicium determinat causas: et qui imponit stulto silentium, iras mitigat.
A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
11 Sicut canis, qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens, qui iterat stultitiam suam.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.
Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leæna in itineribus:
The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
14 sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
15 Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
17 Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens, et commiscetur rixæ alterius.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas, et lanceas in mortem:
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
19 ita vir, fraudulenter nocet amico suo: et cum fuerit deprehensus, dicit: Ludens feci.
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
20 Cum defecerint ligna, extinguetur ignis: et susurrone subtracto, iurgia conquiescent.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
25 Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei: quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia eius in consilio.
Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
27 Qui fodit foveam, incidet in eam: et qui volvit lapidem, revertetur ad eum.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 Lingua fallax non amat veritatem: et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
