Proverbiorum 26
1 [Quomodo nix in æstate, et pluviæ in messe, sic indecens est stulto gloria.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quolibet vadens, sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not.
3 Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Ne respondeas stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like 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 conceit.
6 Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuntium stultum.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
7 Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias, sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii, ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti, sic parabola in ore stultorum.
[As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.
10 Judicium determinat causas, et qui imponit stulto silentium iras mitigat.
[As] an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11 Sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [so is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.]
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 [Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leæna in itineribus.
The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 Sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15 Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.]
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 [Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens et commiscetur rixæ alterius.
He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas et lanceas in mortem,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
19 ita vir fraudulenter nocet amico suo, et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit: Ludens feci.
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis, et susurrone subtracto, jurgia conquiescent.
For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
Fervent lips and a wicked heart are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25 Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei, quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart:
26 Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia ejus in consilio.
Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.
27 Qui fodit foveam incidet in eam, et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 Lingua fallax non amat veritatem, et os lubricum operatur ruinas.]
A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
