Proverbiorum 17
1 Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio, quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio.
Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.
2 Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hereditatem dividet.
A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
3 Sicut igne probatur argentum, et aurum camino: ita corda probat Dominus.
As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ: et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
5 Qui despicit pauperem, exprobrat Factori eius: et qui ruina lætatur alterius, non erit impunitus.
He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.
6 Corona senum filii filiorum: et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
Children’s children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Non decent stultum verba composita: nec principem labium mentiens.
Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
8 Gemma gratissima, expectatio præstolantis: quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
9 Qui celat delictum, quærit amicitias: qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
10 Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 Semper iurgia quærit malus: Angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
12 Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
13 Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo eius.
He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Qui dimittit aquam, caput est iurgiorum: et antequam patiatur contumeliam, iudicium deserit.
The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.
15 Qui iustificat impium, et qui condemnat iustum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
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.
What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.
17 Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est: et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
18 Stultus homo plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
19 Qui meditatur discordias, diligit rixas: et qui exaltat ostium, quærit ruinam.
He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
20 Qui perversi cordis est, non inveniet bonum: et qui vertit linguam, incidet in malum.
He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.
21 Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam: sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
22 Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit: spiritus tristis exiccat ossa.
A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas iudicii.
The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 In facie prudentis lucet sapientia: oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.
25 Ira patris, filius stultus: et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.
26 Non est bonum, damnum inferre iusto: nec percutere principem, qui recta iudicat.
It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.
27 Qui moderatur sermones suos, doctus et prudens est: et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
28 Stultus quoque si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur: et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
