Proverbiorum 26
1 quomodo nix aestate et pluvia in messe sic indecens est stulto gloria
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
2 sicut avis ad alia transvolans et passer quolibet vadens sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet
As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
3 flagellum equo et camus asino et virga dorso inprudentium
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 nuntium 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 of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem
As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, 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 goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 iudicium determinat causas et qui inponit stulto silentium iras mitigat
A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
11 sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum sic inprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam
As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
12 vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri magis illo spem habebit stultus
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 dicit piger leaena in via leo in itineribus
The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
14 sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo ita piger in lectulo suo
[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
15 abscondit piger manus sub ascellas suas et laborat si ad os suum eas converterit
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
17 sicut qui adprehendit auribus canem sic qui transit et inpatiens commiscetur rixae alterius
He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 sicut noxius est qui mittit lanceas et sagittas et mortem
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 sic vir qui fraudulenter nocet amico suo et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit ludens feci
so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
20 cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis et susurrone subtracto iurgia conquiescunt
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
21 sicut carbones ad prunam et ligna ad ignem sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas
[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 verba susurronis quasi simplicia et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris
The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata
Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 labiis suis intellegitur 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 nequitiae sunt in corde illius
when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 qui operit odium fraudulenter revelabitur malitia eius in concilio
Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in 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 injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
