Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
[Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ, nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde ejus.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit; sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
4 Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri, et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate judicii.]
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
[Labia stulti miscent se rixis, et os ejus jurgia provocat.
7 The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Os stulti contritio ejus, et labia ipsius ruina animæ ejus.
8 The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
Verba bilinguis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum dejicit timor; animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo frater est sua opera dissipantis.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
Turris fortissima nomen Domini; ad ipsum currit justus, et exaltabitur.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
Substantia divitis urbs roboris ejus, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis, et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
13 When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam; spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
15 The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Cor prudens possidebit scientiam, et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.]
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
[Donum hominis dilatat viam ejus, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
Justus prior est accusator sui: venit amicus ejus, et investigabit eum.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque dijudicat.
19 A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
Frater qui adjuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma, et judicia quasi vectes urbium.
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
De fructu oris viri replebitur venter ejus, et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it will eat its fruit.
Mors et vita in manu linguæ; qui diligunt eam comedent fructus ejus.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
Qui invenit mulierem bonam invenit bonum, et hauriet jucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam expellit bonum; qui autem tenet adulteram stultus est et impius.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper, et dives effabitur rigide.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
Vir amabilis ad societatem magis amicus erit quam frater.]
