Ordsprogene 26
1 Som Sne om Somren og Regn Høsten så lidt hører Ære sig til for en Tåbe.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so, unbecoming to a dullard is honour.
2 Som en Spurv i Fart, som en Svale i Flugt så rammer ej Banden mod sagesløs Mand.
As a sparrow in wandering, as a swallow in flying, so, a causeless curse, shall not alight.
3 Svøbe for Hest, Bidsel for Æsel og Ris for Tåbers Ryg.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of dullards.
4 Svar ej Tåben efter hans Dårskab, at ikke du selv skal blive som han.
Do not answer a dullard, according to his folly, lest, even thou thyself, become like him;
5 Svar Tåben efter hans Dårskab, at han ikke skal tykkes sig viis.
Answer a dullard according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 Den afhugger Fødderne og inddrikker Vold, som sender Bud ved en Tåbe.
One who cutteth off feet, one who drinketh down wrong, is he who sendeth a message by the hand of a dullard.
7 Slappe som den lammes Ben er Ordsprog i Tåbers Mund.
Useless are the legs of the lame, and a proverb, in the mouth of a dullard.
8 Som en, der binder Stenen fast i Slyngen, er den, der hædrer en Tåbe.
Like tying a stone to a sling, so, is he that giveth honour, to a dullard.
9 Som en Tornekæp, der falder den drukne i Hænde, er Ordsprog i Tåbers Mund.
A brier cometh into the hand of a drunken-man, a proverb into the mouth of dullards.
10 Som en Skytte, der sårer enhver, som kommer, er den, der lejer en Tåbe og en drukken.
[As] an archer who woundeth every thing, [so] one who hireth a dullard, and a drunkard crossing the sea.
11 Som en Hund, der vender sig om til sit Spy, er en Tåbe, der gentager Dårskab.
As, a dog, returneth onto his own vomit, a dullard, repeateth his folly.
12 Ser du en Mand, der tykkes sig viis, for en Tåbe er der mere Håb end for ham.
Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eye, —more hope of a dullard, than of him!
13 Den lade siger: "Et Rovdyr på Vejen, en Løve ude på Torvene!"
Saith the sluggard, A roaring lion in the road! A tearing lion in the midst of the broadways.
14 Døren drejer sig på sit Hængsel, den lade på sit Leje.
The door, turneth on its hinges, and, the sluggard, upon his bed.
15 Den lade rækker til Fadet, men gider ikke føre Hånden til Munden.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 Den lade tykkes sig større Vismand end syv, der har kloge Svar.
Wiser is the sluggard in his own eyes, than, seven persons, who can answer with judgment.
17 Den griber en Hund i Øret, som blander sig i uvedkommende Strid.
As he who layeth hold of the ears of a dog, is a passer-by, who giveth vent to his wrath over a quarrel, not his!
18 Som en vanvittig Mand, der udslynger Gløder, Pile og Død,
As a madman throwing firebrands, arrows and death,
19 er den, der sviger sin Næste og siger: "Jeg spøger jo kun."
So, is a man who deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Was not, I, in sport?
20 Er der intet Brænde, går Ilden ud, er der ingen Bagtaler, stilles Trætte.
Without wood a fire is quenched, and, where there is no tattler, strife is hushed.
21 Trækul til Gløder og Brænde til Ild og trættekær Mand til at optænde Kiv.
Black coal to burning blocks, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man, for kindling strife.
22 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Legemets Kamre.
the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
23 Som Sølvovertræk på et Lerkar er ondsindet Hjerte bag glatte Læber.
Dross silver overlaid upon earthenware, so are burning lips, with a mischievous heart:
24 Avindsmand hykler med Læben, i sit Indre huser han Svig;
With his lips, the hater dissembleth, but, within himself, he layeth up deceit:
25 gør han Røsten venlig, tro ham dog ikke, thi i hans Hjerte er syvfold Gru.
Though he make gracious his voice, do not trust him, for, seven abominations, are in his heart:
26 Den, der dølger sit Had med Svig, hans Ondskab kommer frem i Folkets Forsamling.
Hatred may clothe itself with guile, his wickedness shall be disclosed in the convocation.
27 I Graven, man graver, falder man selv, af Stenen, man vælter, rammes man selv.
He that diggeth a pit, thereinto, shall fall, and, he that rolleth a stone, upon himself, shall it return.
28 Løgnetunge giver mange Hug, hyklersk Mund volder Fald.
A false tongue, hateth them who are crushed by it, and, a flattering mouth, worketh occasion of stumbling.
