नीतिवचन 17
1 १ चैन के साथ सूखा टुकड़ा, उस घर की अपेक्षा उत्तम है, जो मेलबलि-पशुओं से भरा हो, परन्तु उसमें झगड़े-रगड़े हों।
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 २ बुद्धि से चलनेवाला दास अपने स्वामी के उस पुत्र पर जो लज्जा का कारण होता है प्रभुता करेगा, और उस पुत्र के भाइयों के बीच भागी होगा।
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 ५ जो निर्धन को उपहास में उड़ाता है, वह उसके कर्त्ता की निन्दा करता है; और जो किसी की विपत्ति पर हँसता है, वह निर्दोष नहीं ठहरेगा।
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 ८ घूस देनेवाला व्यक्ति घूस को मोह लेनेवाला मणि समझता है; ऐसा पुरुष जिधर फिरता, उधर उसका काम सफल होता है।
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 ९ जो दूसरे के अपराध को ढाँप देता है, वह प्रेम का खोजी ठहरता है, परन्तु जो बात की चर्चा बार बार करता है, वह परम मित्रों में भी फूट करा देता है।
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 १० एक घुड़की समझनेवाले के मन में जितनी गड़ जाती है, उतना सौ बार मार खाना मूर्ख के मन में नहीं गड़ता।
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19 १९ जो झगड़े-रगड़े में प्रीति रखता, वह अपराध करने से भी प्रीति रखता है, और जो अपने फाटक को बड़ा करता, वह अपने विनाश के लिये यत्न करता है।
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 २४ बुद्धि समझनेवाले के सामने ही रहती है, परन्तु मूर्ख की आँखें पृथ्वी के दूर-दूर देशों में लगी रहती हैं।
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 २७ जो सम्भलकर बोलता है, वह ज्ञानी ठहरता है; और जिसकी आत्मा शान्त रहती है, वही समझवाला पुरुष ठहरता है।
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 २८ मूर्ख भी जब चुप रहता है, तब बुद्धिमान गिना जाता है; और जो अपना मुँह बन्द रखता वह समझवाला गिना जाता है।
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
