Proverbs 17
1 Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum jurgio.
2 A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hæreditatem dividet.
3 A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
Sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino, ita corda probat Dominus.
4 Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ, et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
5 Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
Qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori ejus, et qui ruina lætatur alterius non erit impunitus.
6 Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
Corona senum filii filiorum, et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
7 Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
Non decent stultum verba composita, nec principem labium mentiens.
8 Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
Gemma gratissima exspectatio præstolantis; quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
9 If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
Qui celat delictum quærit amicitias; qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
10 A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
11 Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
Semper jurgia quærit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
12 Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
13 If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo ejus.
14 The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
Qui dimittit aquam caput est jurgiorum, et antequam patiatur contumeliam judicium deserit.
15 The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
Qui justificat impium, et qui condemnat justum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
16 Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
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 A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est, et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
18 It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
Stultus homo plaudet manibus, cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
19 People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
Qui meditatur discordias diligit rixas, et qui exaltat ostium quærit ruinam.
20 People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
Qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum, et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum.
21 A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam; sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
22 A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit; spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa.
23 The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas judicii.
24 Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
In facie prudentis lucet sapientia; oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
25 A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
Ira patris filius stultus, et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
26 It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
Non est bonum damnum inferre justo, nec percutere principem qui recta judicat.
27 If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
Qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est, et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
28 Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
Stultus quoque, si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur, et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
