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 morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, 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 wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions amongst brethren.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
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।
He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 ८ घूस देनेवाला व्यक्ति घूस को मोह लेनेवाला मणि समझता है; ऐसा पुरुष जिधर फिरता, उधर उसका काम सफल होता है।
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
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 that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 १० एक घुड़की समझनेवाले के मन में जितनी गड़ जाती है, उतना सौ बार मार खाना मूर्ख के मन में नहीं गड़ता।
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.
Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
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।
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
24 २४ बुद्धि समझनेवाले के सामने ही रहती है, परन्तु मूर्ख की आँखें पृथ्वी के दूर-दूर देशों में लगी रहती हैं।
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.
A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 २७ जो सम्भलकर बोलता है, वह ज्ञानी ठहरता है; और जिसकी आत्मा शान्त रहती है, वही समझवाला पुरुष ठहरता है।
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 २८ मूर्ख भी जब चुप रहता है, तब बुद्धिमान गिना जाता है; और जो अपना मुँह बन्द रखता वह समझवाला गिना जाता है।
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
