Ordsprogene 26
1 Som Sne om Somren og Regn om Høsten saa lidt hører Ære sig til for en Taabe.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 Som en Spurv i Fart, som en Svale i Flugt saa rammer ej Banden mod sagesløs Mand.
As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight.
3 Svøbe for Hest, Bidsel for Æsel og Ris for Taabers Ryg.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Svar ej Taaben efter hans Daarskab, at ikke du selv skal blive som han.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.
5 Svar Taaben efter hans Daarskab, at han ikke skal tykkes sig viis.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 Den afhugger Fødderne og inddrikker Vold, som sender Bud ved en Taabe.
He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks injury.
7 Slappe som den lammes Ben er Ordsprog i Taabers Mund.
The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Som en, der binder Stenen fast i Slyngen, er den, der hædrer en Taabe.
As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Som en Tornekæp, der falder den drukne i Hænde, er Ordsprog i Taabers Mund.
As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Som en Skytte, der saarer enhver, som kommer, er den, der lejer en Taabe og en drukken.
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by.
11 Som en Hund, der vender sig om til sit Spy, er en Taabe, der gentager Daarskab.
As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Ser du en Mand, der tykkes sig viis, for en Taabe er der mere Haab end for ham.
See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.
13 Den lade siger: »Et Rovdyr paa Vejen, en Løve ude paa Torvene!«
The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 Døren drejer sig paa sit Hængsel, den lade paa sit Leje.
The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.
15 Den lade rækker til Fadet, men gider ikke føre Haanden til Munden.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 Den lade tykkes sig større Vismand end syv, der har kloge Svar.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.
17 Den griber en Hund i Øret, som blander sig i uvedkommende Strid.
He who passes by, and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.
18 Som en vanvittig Mand, der udslynger Gløder, Pile og Død,
As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 er den, der sviger sin Næste og siger: »Jeg spøger jo kun.«
so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?
20 Er der intet Brænde, gaar Ilden ud, er der ingen Bagtaler, stilles Trætte.
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
21 Trækul til Gløder og Brænde til Ild og trættekær Mand til at optænde Kiv.
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Legemets Kamre.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Som Sølvovertræk paa et Lerkar er ondsindet Hjerte bag glatte Læber.
Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 Avindsmand hykler med Læben, i sit Indre huser han Svig;
He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him.
25 gør han Røsten venlig, tro ham dog ikke, thi i hans Hjerte er syvfold Gru.
When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Den, der dølger sit Had med Svig, hans Ondskab kommer frem i Folkets Forsamling.
Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly.
27 I Graven, man graver, falder man selv, af Stenen, man vælter, rammes man selv.
He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 Løgnetunge giver mange Hug, hyklersk Mund volder Fald.
A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
