Proverbiorum 17
1 Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum jurgio.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of flesh-banquets with strife.
2 Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hæreditatem dividet.
A prudent servant shall rule over a son who causeth shame; Yea, with brothers he shall share the inheritance.
3 Sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino, ita corda probat Dominus.
The refining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But the LORD trieth hearts.
4 Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ, et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
An evil-doer listeneth to mischievous lips; And a liar giveth ear to a destructive tongue.
5 Qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori ejus, et qui ruina lætatur alterius non erit impunitus.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; He that is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished.
6 Corona senum filii filiorum, et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
Children's children are the crown of the aged, And their fathers the glory of sons.
7 Non decent stultum verba composita, nec principem labium mentiens.
Excellent speech becometh not the base; How much less lying lips the noble!
8 Gemma gratissima exspectatio præstolantis; quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of him who taketh it; Whithersoever it turneth it hath success.
9 Qui celat delictum quærit amicitias; qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
He who covereth an offence seeketh love; But he who recurreth to a matter removeth a friend.
10 Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
A reproof will penetrate deeper into a wise man Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Semper jurgia quærit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore shall a cruel messenger be sent against him.
12 Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her whelps, Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo ejus.
Whoso returneth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Qui dimittit aquam caput est jurgiorum, et antequam patiatur contumeliam judicium deserit.
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; Therefore leave off contention before it rolleth onward.
15 Qui justificat impium, et qui condemnat justum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
He that justifieth the wicked, And he that condemneth the just, Both alike are an abomination to the LORD.
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.
Why should a price be in the hand of a fool To get wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?
17 Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est, et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
A friend loveth at all times; But in adversity he is born a brother.
18 Stultus homo plaudet manibus, cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
A man who lacketh understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 Qui meditatur discordias diligit rixas, et qui exaltat ostium quærit ruinam.
He who loveth strife loveth transgression; He who raiseth high his gate seeketh ruin.
20 Qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum, et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum.
He that is of a deceitful heart shall find no good; And he that turneth about with his tongue shall fall into mischief.
21 Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam; sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
Whoso begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; Yea, the father of the fool hath no joy.
22 Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit; spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa.
A merry heart doeth good to the body; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas judicii.
The wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of judgment.
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 bore him.
26 Non est bonum damnum inferre justo, nec percutere principem qui recta judicat.
Moreover, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their equity.
27 Qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est, et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
He that spareth his words is imbued with 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 is silent, is accounted wise; He that shutteth his lips is a man of understanding.
