Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ: nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde eius.
3 When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with dishonour reproach.
Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animæ eius.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great destroyer.
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 runs into it, and is safe.
Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsum currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
13 He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
15 The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
17 He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbour comes and searches him.
Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty.
Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Mors, et vita in manu linguæ: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
22 Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
Qui invenit mulierem bonam, invenit bonum: et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam, expellit bonum: qui autem tenet adulteram, stultus est et impius.
23 The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Vir amabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
