Proverbs 18
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ: nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde eius.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.
Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, 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 self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsum currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.
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 those loving it eat its fruit.
Mors, et vita in manu linguæ: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
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 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
Vir amabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
