Proverbiorum 26
1 Quomodo nix in æstate, et pluviæ in messe: sic indecens est stulto gloria.
Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quo libet vadens: sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
3 Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Ne respondeas stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
5 Responde stulto iuxta 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 nuncium stultum.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias: sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
Like the legs of the lame that 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 one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti: sic parabola in ore stultorum.
Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Iudicium determinat causas: et qui imponit stulto silentium, iras mitigat.
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
11 Sicut canis, qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens, qui iterat stultitiam suam.
As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leæna in itineribus:
The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road. A fierce lion roams the streets."
14 sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
15 Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
17 Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens, et commiscetur rixæ alterius.
Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas, et lanceas in mortem:
Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 ita vir, fraudulenter nocet amico suo: et cum fuerit deprehensus, dicit: Ludens feci.
is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
20 Cum defecerint ligna, extinguetur ignis: et susurrone subtracto, iurgia conquiescent.
Without wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, contention ceases.
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 kindling strife.
22 Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
The words of a gossip are as tasty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24 Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
25 Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei: quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius.
When his speech is charming, do not believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia eius in consilio.
His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Qui fodit foveam, incidet in eam: et qui volvit lapidem, revertetur ad eum.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 Lingua fallax non amat veritatem: et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
