Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
Occasiones quaerit 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 prudentiae: nisi ea dixeris quae versantur in corde eius.
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 sapientiae.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
Accipere personam impii in iudicio non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
7 The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animae eius.
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 deiicit timor: animae 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 ipsam currit iustus, 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 eius, 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 quaerit doctrinam.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, 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.
Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
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 adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia 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 eius: 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 linguae: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from 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 insipiens.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
Cum obsecrationibus loquitur 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 amicabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
