Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
[Quomodo nix in æstate, et pluviæ in messe, sic indecens est stulto gloria.
2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight.
Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quolibet vadens, sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.
Ne respondeas stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Responde stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne sibi sapiens esse videatur.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks injury.
Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuntium stultum.
7 The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias, sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
8 As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii, ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
9 As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti, sic parabola in ore stultorum.
10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by.
Judicium determinat causas, et qui imponit stulto silentium iras mitigat.
11 As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.
Sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam.
12 See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.
Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.]
13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
[Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leæna in itineribus.
14 The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.
Sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.
Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.
Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.]
17 He who passes by, and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.
[Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens et commiscetur rixæ alterius.
18 As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas et lanceas in mortem,
19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?
ita vir fraudulenter nocet amico suo, et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit: Ludens feci.
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
Cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis, et susurrone subtracto, jurgia conquiescent.
21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
24 He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him.
Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
25 When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei, quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius.
26 Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly.
Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia ejus in consilio.
27 He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him.
Qui fodit foveam incidet in eam, et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum.
28 A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Lingua fallax non amat veritatem, et os lubricum operatur ruinas.]
