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 honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quo libet vadens: sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
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 fool's back.
4 Ne respondeas stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou 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 conceit.
6 Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuncium stultum.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias: sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii: ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
As he that bindeth a stone 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 goeth up 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.
The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 Sicut canis, qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens, qui iterat stultitiam suam.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to 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 slothful [man] 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 slothful upon his bed.
15 Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
The slothful hideth [his] hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth 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] meddleth 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 mad [man] who casteth fire-brands, arrows, and death,
19 ita vir, fraudulenter nocet amico suo: et cum fuerit deprehensus, dicit: Ludens feci.
So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Cum defecerint ligna, extinguetur ignis: et susurrone subtracto, iurgia conquiescent.
Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
[As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
The words of a tale-bearer [are] as wounds, 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.
Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and 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 eius in consilio.
[Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the [whole] congregation.
27 Qui fodit foveam, incidet in eam: et qui volvit lapidem, revertetur ad eum.
Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 Lingua fallax non amat veritatem: et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
