Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio, quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio.
2 A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hereditatem dividet.
3 The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
Sicut igne probatur argentum, et aurum camino: ita corda probat Dominus.
4 The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ: et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
5 Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
Qui despicit pauperem, exprobrat Factori eius: et qui ruina lætatur alterius, non erit impunitus.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Corona senum filii filiorum: et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
Non decent stultum verba composita: nec principem labium mentiens.
8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
Gemma gratissima, expectatio præstolantis: quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
9 He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
Qui celat delictum, quærit amicitias: qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Semper iurgia quærit malus: Angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
13 Whoso rewardeth 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 contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
Qui dimittit aquam, caput est iurgiorum: et antequam patiatur contumeliam, iudicium deserit.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
Qui iustificat impium, et qui condemnat iustum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
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 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est: et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
Stultus homo plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
Qui meditatur discordias, diligit rixas: et qui exaltat ostium, quærit ruinam.
20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
Qui perversi cordis est, non inveniet bonum: et qui vertit linguam, incidet in malum.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam: sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit: spiritus tristis exiccat ossa.
23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas iudicii.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
In facie prudentis lucet sapientia: oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
Ira patris, filius stultus: et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
26 To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
Non est bonum, damnum inferre iusto: nec percutere principem, qui recta iudicat.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
Qui moderatur sermones suos, doctus et prudens est: et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
28 Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
Stultus quoque si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur: et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
