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