Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
Quomodo nix in aestate, et pluviae in messe: sic indecens est stulto gloria.
2 As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
Sicut avis ad alta transvolans, et passer quo libet vadens: sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Ne respondeas stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Responde stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne sibi sapiens esse videatur.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuncium stultum.
7 The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias: sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
8 As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii: ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
9 As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti: sic parabola in ore stultorum.
10 A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
Iudicium determinat causas: et qui imponit stulto silentium, iras mitigat.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
Sicut canis, qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens, qui iterat stultitiam suam.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.
13 The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leaena in itineribus:
14 The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens, et commiscetur rixae alterius.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas, et lanceas in mortem:
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
ita vir, fraudulenter nocet amico suo: et cum fuerit deprehensus, dicit: Ludens feci.
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
Cum defecerint ligna, extinguetur ignis: et susurrone subtracto, iurgia conquiescunt.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei: quoniam septem nequitiae sunt in corde illius.
26 Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia eius in consilio.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Qui fodit foveam, incidet in eam: et qui volvit lapidem, revertetur ad eum.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Lingua fallax non amat veritatem: et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
