नीतिवचन 18
1 १ जो दूसरों से अलग हो जाता है, वह अपनी ही इच्छा पूरी करने के लिये ऐसा करता है, और सब प्रकार की खरी बुद्धि से बैर करता है।
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 १७ मुकद्दमे में जो पहले बोलता, वही सच्चा जान पड़ता है, परन्तु बाद में दूसरे पक्षवाला आकर उसे जाँच लेता है।
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 १९ चिढ़े हुए भाई को मनाना दृढ़ नगर के ले लेने से कठिन होता है, और झगड़े राजभवन के बेंड़ों के समान हैं।
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 २० मनुष्य का पेट मुँह की बातों के फल से भरता है; और बोलने से जो कुछ प्राप्त होता है उससे वह तृप्त होता है।
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 २१ जीभ के वश में मृत्यु और जीवन दोनों होते हैं, और जो उसे काम में लाना जानता है वह उसका फल भोगेगा।
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 २४ मित्रों के बढ़ाने से तो नाश होता है, परन्तु ऐसा मित्र होता है, जो भाई से भी अधिक मिला रहता है।
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
