Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
Quomodo nix in aestate, et pluviae in messe: sic indecens est stulto gloria.
2 As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause 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 back of the fool.
Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to 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 cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuncium stultum.
7 The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias: sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
8 As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii: ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
9 As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti: sic parabola in ore stultorum.
10 As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
Iudicium determinat causas: et qui imponit stulto silentium, iras mitigat.
11 As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth 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; There is a lion in the streets.”
Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leaena in itineribus:
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
15 The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; 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 who can render a reason.
Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.
17 As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens, et commiscetur rixae alterius.
18 As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas, et lanceas in mortem:
19 So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
ita vir, fraudulenter nocet amico suo: et cum fuerit deprehensus, dicit: Ludens feci.
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
Cum defecerint ligna, extinguetur ignis: et susurrone subtracto, iurgia conquiescunt.
21 As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
22 The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
23 As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
24 The hater 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 His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia eius in consilio.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Qui fodit foveam, incidet in eam: et qui volvit lapidem, revertetur ad eum.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Lingua fallax non amat veritatem: et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
