Proverbiorum 14
1 Sapiens mulier ædificat domum suam: insipiens extructam quoque manibus destruet.
Every wise woman builds her house, but the stupid woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 Ambulans recto itinere, et timens Deum, despicitur ab eo, qui infami graditur via.
Those who live right respect the Lord, but those who live dishonestly despise him.
3 In ore stulti virga superbiæ: labia autem sapientium custodiunt eos.
What stupid people say punishes their pride, but what wise people say will protect them.
4 Ubi non sunt boves, præsepe vacuum est: ubi autem plurimæ segetes, ibi manifesta est fortitudo bovis.
Without oxen, the manger is empty, but a good harvest comes through the ox's strength.
5 Testis fidelis non mentitur: profert autem mendacium dolosus testis.
A trustworthy witness doesn't lie, but a false witness is deceptive.
6 Quærit derisor sapientiam, et non invenit: doctrina prudentium facilis.
It's pointless for a scoffer to look for wisdom, but knowledge comes easily to someone who understands.
7 Vade contra virum stultum, et nescit labia prudentiæ.
Stay away from stupid people—you won't learn anything from them.
8 Sapientia callidi est intelligere viam suam: et imprudentia stultorum errans.
Sensible people use their wisdom to decide where they're going, but the foolishness of stupid people is treacherous.
9 Stultus illudet peccatum, et inter iustos morabitur gratia.
Stupid people laugh at sin, but good people want forgiveness.
10 Cor quod novit amaritudinem animæ suæ, in gaudio eius non miscebitur extraneus.
The individual's mind alone knows its sadnesses, and no one else can share its happiness.
11 Domus impiorum delebitur: tabernacula vero iustorum germinabunt.
The house of wicked people will be destroyed, but the tent of good people will prosper.
12 Est via, quæ videtur homini iusta: novissima autem eius deducunt ad mortem.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
13 Risus dolore miscebitur, et extrema gaudii luctus occupat.
Even when you're laughing you can be feeling sad—joy can end in grief.
14 Viis suis replebitur stultus, et super eum erit vir bonus.
Disloyal people are repaid for what they do, and good people are rewarded.
15 Innocens credit omni verbo: astutus considerat gressus suos. Filio doloso nihil erit boni: servo autem sapienti prosperi erunt actus, et dirigetur via eius.
Stupid people believe whatever they're told, but sensible people think about what they're doing.
16 Sapiens timet, et declinat a malo: stultus transilit, et confidit.
Wise people are careful and avoid evil, but stupid people are confidently reckless.
17 Impatiens operabitur stultitiam: et vir versutus odiosus est.
Quick-tempered people act foolishly, while people who make evil plans are hated.
18 Possidebunt parvuli stultitiam, et expectabunt astuti scientiam.
The inheritance of stupid people is stupidity, but sensible people are rewarded with knowledge.
19 Iacebunt mali ante bonos: et impii ante portas iustorum.
Evil people bow down before good people, and the wicked bow down at the doors of those who do right.
20 Etiam proximo suo pauper odiosus erit: amici vero divitum multi.
The poor are hated even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends.
21 Qui despicit proximum suum, peccat: qui autem miseretur pauperis, beatus erit. Qui credit in Domino, misericordiam diligit.
People who look down on their neighbors are sinners, but those who are kind to the poor are blessed.
22 Errant qui operantur malum: misericordia et veritas præparant bona.
Aren't people who plan to do evil wrong? But those who plan to do good have trustworthy love and faithfulness.
23 In omni opere erit abundantia: ubi autem verba sunt plurima, ibi frequenter egestas.
There's profit in hard work, but chatting just leads to poverty.
24 Corona sapientium, divitiæ eorum: fatuitas stultorum, imprudentia.
The wise are rewarded with wealth, but stupid people are rewarded with stupidity.
25 Liberat animas testis fidelis: et profert mendacia versipellis.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is treacherous.
26 In timore Domini fiducia fortitudinis, et filiis eius erit spes.
People who honor the Lord are completely safe; he will protect their children.
27 Timor Domini fons vitæ, ut declinent a ruina mortis.
Respecting the Lord is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.
28 In multitudine populi dignitas regis: et in paucitate plebis ignominia principis.
The glory of a king is the number of his subjects, for a ruler is nothing without them.
29 Qui patiens est, multa gubernatur prudentia: qui autem impatiens est, exaltat stultitiam suam.
If you're slow to get angry, you're very wise; but if you have a short fuse you glorify stupidity.
30 Vita carnium, sanitas cordis: putredo ossium, invidia.
A peaceful mind makes your body healthy, but jealousy makes your bones rot.
31 Qui calumniatur egentem, exprobrat factori eius: honorat autem eum, qui miseretur pauperis.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but anyone who is kind to the needy honors him.
32 In malitia sua expelletur impius: sperat autem iustus in morte sua.
Wicked people are brought down by their own evil actions, but those who live right are confident even in death.
33 In corde prudentis requiescit sapientia, et indoctos quosque erudiet.
Wisdom is at home in a mind that understands, but it's not found among stupid people.
34 Iustitia elevat gentem: miseros autem facit populos peccatum.
Doing right makes a nation successful, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 Acceptus est regi minister intelligens: iracundiam eius inutilis sustinebit.
A servant who acts wisely is appreciated by the king, but he gets angry with a servant who acts disgracefully.
