Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suitable for a fool.
Quomodo nix in æstate, et pluviæ in messe: sic indecens est stulto gloria.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
Sicut avis ad alia 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 fool's back.
Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you 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 conceit.
Responde stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne sibi sapiens esse videatur.
6 He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.
Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuncium stultum.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias: sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
8 As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.
Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii: ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
9 As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti: sic parabola in ore stultorum.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
Iudicium determinat causas: et qui imponit stulto silentium, iras mitigat.
11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
Sicut canis, qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens, qui iterat stultitiam suam.
12 See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.
13 The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leæna in itineribus:
14 As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.
sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
15 The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again 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 conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.
17 He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens, et commiscetur rixæ alterius.
18 As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas, et lanceas in mortem:
19 So is the man that deceives his neighbour, and says, Am not I in sport?
ita vir, fraudulenter nocet amico suo: et cum fuerit deprehensus, dicit: Ludens feci.
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
Cum defecerint ligna, extinguetur ignis: et susurrone subtracto, iurgia conquiescent.
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 talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
24 He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
25 When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei: quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia eius in consilio.
27 Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
Qui fodit foveam, incidet in eam: et qui volvit lapidem, revertetur ad eum.
28 A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Lingua fallax non amat veritatem: et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
