Proverbiorum 17
1 melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis et inter fratres hereditatem dividet
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance amongst 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 the LORD tests the hearts.
4 malus oboedit linguae iniquae et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori eius et qui in ruina laetatur alterius non erit inpunitus
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 corona senum filii filiorum et gloria filiorum patres sui
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
7 non decent stultum verba conposita nec principem labium mentiens
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 gemma gratissima expectatio praestolantis quocumque se verterit prudenter intellegit
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 qui celat delictum quaerit amicitias qui altero sermone repetit separat foederatos
He who covers an offence promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 plus proficit correptio apud prudentem quam centum plagae apud stultum
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 semper iurgia quaerit 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 ursae occurrere raptis fetibus quam fatuo confidenti sibi in stultitia sua
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 qui reddit mala pro bonis non recedet malum de domo eius
Whoever 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 breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarrelling breaks out.
15 et qui iustificat impium et qui condemnat iustum abominabilis est uterque apud Dominum
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 quid prodest habere divitias stultum cum sapientiam emere non possit
Why is there money 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 conprobatur
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18 homo stultus plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbour.
19 qui meditatur discordiam diligit rixas et qui exaltat ostium quaerit ruinam
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum
One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 natus est stultus in ignominiam suam sed nec pater in fatuo laetabitur
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 animus gaudens aetatem floridam facit spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 munera de sinu impius accipit ut pervertat semitas iudicii
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 in facie prudentis lucet sapientia oculi stultorum in finibus terrae
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 ira patris filius stultus et dolor matris quae genuit eum
A foolish son brings 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 the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 stultus quoque si tacuerit sapiens putabitur et si conpresserit labia sua intellegens
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
