Proverbs 18
1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
[Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ, nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde ejus.
3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit; sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri, et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate judicii.]
6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
[Labia stulti miscent se rixis, et os ejus jurgia provocat.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Os stulti contritio ejus, et labia ipsius ruina animæ ejus.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
Verba bilinguis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum dejicit timor; animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo frater est sua opera dissipantis.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Turris fortissima nomen Domini; ad ipsum currit justus, et exaltabitur.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
Substantia divitis urbs roboris ejus, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis, et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam; spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
Cor prudens possidebit scientiam, et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.]
16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
[Donum hominis dilatat viam ejus, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
Justus prior est accusator sui: venit amicus ejus, et investigabit eum.
18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque dijudicat.
19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
Frater qui adjuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma, et judicia quasi vectes urbium.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
De fructu oris viri replebitur venter ejus, et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Mors et vita in manu linguæ; qui diligunt eam comedent fructus ejus.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
Qui invenit mulierem bonam invenit bonum, et hauriet jucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam expellit bonum; qui autem tenet adulteram stultus est et impius.
23 The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper, et dives effabitur rigide.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Vir amabilis ad societatem magis amicus erit quam frater.]
