Proverbiorum 17
1 Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio, quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hereditatem dividet.
A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 Sicut igne probatur argentum, et aurum camino: ita corda probat Dominus.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ: et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Qui despicit pauperem, exprobrat factori eius: et qui ruina lætatur alterius, non erit impunitus.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [And] he that is glad at calamity 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.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.
8 Gemma gratissima, expectatio præstolantis: quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 Qui celat delictum, quærit amicitias: qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
10 Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Semper iurgia quærit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo eius.
Whoso rewardeth 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 strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
15 Qui iustificat impium, et qui condemnat iustum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
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.
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
17 Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est: et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
18 Stultus homo plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 Qui meditatur discordias, diligit rixas: et qui exaltat ostium, quærit ruinam.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 Qui perversi cordis est, non inveniet bonum: et qui vertit linguam, incidet in malum.
He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam: sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit: spiritus tristis exiccat ossa.
A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas iudicii.
A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.
24 In facie prudentis lucet sapientia: oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 Ira patris, filius stultus: et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Non est bonum, damnum inferre iusto: nec percutere principem, qui recta iudicat.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, [Nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.
27 Qui moderatur sermones suos, doctus et prudens est: et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Stultus quoque si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur: et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
