Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may reveal itself.
Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ: nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde eius.
3 When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
4 The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the well-spring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
7 A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animæ eius.
8 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsum currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
11 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor [is] humility.
Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame to him.
Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth 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 bringeth him before great men.
Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 shall eat the fruit of it.
Mors, et vita in manu linguæ: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
22 [Whoever] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth 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 impius.
23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
24 A man [that hath] friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
Vir amabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
