Proverbiorum 17
1 Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum jurgio.
Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
2 Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hæreditatem dividet.
A prudent servant, shall rule over a son who causeth shame, and, in the midst of brothers, shall he share the inheritance.
3 Sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino, ita corda probat Dominus.
Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.
4 Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ, et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip, —Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
5 Qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori ejus, et qui ruina lætatur alterius non erit impunitus.
He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.
6 Corona senum filii filiorum, et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
The crown of old men, consists of children’s children, and the adornment of children, is their fathers.
7 Non decent stultum verba composita, nec principem labium mentiens.
Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
8 Gemma gratissima exspectatio præstolantis; quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.
9 Qui celat delictum quærit amicitias; qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.
10 Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!
11 Semper jurgia quærit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.
12 Expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fœtibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!
13 Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo ejus.
He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Qui dimittit aquam caput est jurgiorum, et antequam patiatur contumeliam judicium deserit.
A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
15 Qui justificat impium, et qui condemnat justum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
He that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.
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 dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.
17 Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est, et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.
18 Stultus homo plaudet manibus, cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.
19 Qui meditatur discordias diligit rixas, et qui exaltat ostium quærit ruinam.
A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.
20 Qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum, et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum.
The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.
21 Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam; sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
22 Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit; spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa.
A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure, —but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
23 Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas judicii.
A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 In facie prudentis lucet sapientia; oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.
25 Ira patris filius stultus, et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
A vexation to his father, is the son that is a dullard, and a bitterness, to her that bare him.
26 Non est bonum damnum inferre justo, nec percutere principem qui recta judicat.
Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.
27 Qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est, et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.
28 Stultus quoque, si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur, et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, —He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.
