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 bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
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 fool’s back.
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 conceit.
Responde stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne sibi sapiens esse videatur.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh 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 bindeth a stone in a sling, 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 goeth up 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 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
Iudicium determinat causas: et qui imponit stulto silentium, iras mitigat.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
Sicut canis, qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens, qui iterat stultitiam suam.
12 Seest thou 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] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leaena in itineribus:
14 [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.
sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth 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 passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [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 mad [man] 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, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife 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 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 hateth dissembleth with his lips, and 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 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] 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 will return upon him.
Qui fodit foveam, incidet in eam: et qui volvit lapidem, revertetur ad eum.
28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Lingua fallax non amat veritatem: et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
