Proverbs 17
1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum jurgio.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions amongst brethren.
Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hæreditatem dividet.
3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
Sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino, ita corda probat Dominus.
4 A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ, et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
5 He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.
Qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori ejus, et qui ruina lætatur alterius non erit impunitus.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
Corona senum filii filiorum, et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
Non decent stultum verba composita, nec principem labium mentiens.
8 Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
Gemma gratissima exspectatio præstolantis; quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
9 He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
Qui celat delictum quærit amicitias; qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
11 Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
Semper jurgia quærit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo ejus.
14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
Qui dimittit aquam caput est jurgiorum, et antequam patiatur contumeliam judicium deserit.
15 He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
Qui justificat impium, et qui condemnat justum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
16 Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.
Quid prodest stulto habere divitias, cum sapientiam emere non possit? Qui altum facit domum suam quærit ruinam, et qui evitat discere incidet in mala.
17 Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est, et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
Stultus homo plaudet manibus, cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
Qui meditatur discordias diligit rixas, et qui exaltat ostium quærit ruinam.
20 and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
Qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum, et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum.
21 and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam; sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit; spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa.
23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas judicii.
24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.
In facie prudentis lucet sapientia; oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
25 A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
Ira patris filius stultus, et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
26 [It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
Non est bonum damnum inferre justo, nec percutere principem qui recta judicat.
27 He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
Qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est, et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
Stultus quoque, si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur, et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
