Proverbiorum 17
1 [Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum jurgio.
Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hæreditatem dividet.
A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.
3 Sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino, ita corda probat Dominus.
As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.
4 Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ, et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.
5 Qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori ejus, et qui ruina lætatur alterius non erit impunitus.
Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.
6 Corona senum filii filiorum, et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye children are their fathers.
7 Non decent stultum verba composita, nec principem labium mentiens.
Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.
8 Gemma gratissima exspectatio præstolantis; quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth.
9 Qui celat delictum quærit amicitias; qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince.
10 Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.
11 Semper jurgia quærit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie.
13 Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo ejus.
He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house.
14 Qui dimittit aquam caput est jurgiorum, et antequam patiatur contumeliam judicium deserit.]
The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.
15 [Qui justificat impium, et qui condemnat justum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
16 Quid prodest stulto habere divitias, cum sapientiam emere non possit? Qui altum facit domum suam quærit ruinam, et qui evitat discere incidet in mala.
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?
17 Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est, et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.
18 Stultus homo plaudet manibus, cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.
19 Qui meditatur discordias diligit rixas, et qui exaltat ostium quærit ruinam.
He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
20 Qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum, et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum.
The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.
21 Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam; sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
22 Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit; spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa.
A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.
23 Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas judicii.
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.
24 In facie prudentis lucet sapientia; oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world.
25 Ira patris filius stultus, et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.
26 Non est bonum damnum inferre justo, nec percutere principem qui recta judicat.
Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.
27 Qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est, et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Stultus quoque, si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur, et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.]
Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
