Proverbiorum 26
1 [Quomodo nix in æstate, et pluviæ in messe, sic indecens est stulto gloria.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quolibet vadens, sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Ne respondeas stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.
5 Responde stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne sibi sapiens esse videatur.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuntium stultum.
He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias, sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii, ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti, sic parabola in ore stultorum.
[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Judicium determinat causas, et qui imponit stulto silentium iras mitigat.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 Sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.]
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 [Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leæna in itineribus.
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 Sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.]
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 [Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens et commiscetur rixæ alterius.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas et lanceas in mortem,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 ita vir fraudulenter nocet amico suo, et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit: Ludens feci.
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis, et susurrone subtracto, jurgia conquiescent.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei, quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia ejus in consilio.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 Qui fodit foveam incidet in eam, et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 Lingua fallax non amat veritatem, et os lubricum operatur ruinas.]
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
