Proverbiorum 17
1 Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum jurgio.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hæreditatem dividet.
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance amongst the brothers.
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 tests the hearts.
4 Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ, et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori ejus, et qui ruina lætatur alterius non erit impunitus.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who 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; the glory of children is their parents.
7 Non decent stultum verba composita, nec principem labium mentiens.
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 Gemma gratissima exspectatio præstolantis; quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 Qui celat delictum quærit amicitias; qui altero sermone repetit, separat fœderatos.
He who covers an offence promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagæ apud stultum.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 Semper jurgia quærit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
An evil man seeks 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 cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo ejus.
Whoever rewards 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 like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarrelling breaks out.
15 Qui justificat impium, et qui condemnat justum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them 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 is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est, et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
A friend loves 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 strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbour.
19 Qui meditatur discordias diligit rixas, et qui exaltat ostium quærit ruinam.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 Qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum, et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum.
One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam; sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 Animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit; spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas judicii.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 In facie prudentis lucet sapientia; oculi stultorum in finibus terræ.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 Ira patris filius stultus, et dolor matris quæ genuit eum.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Non est bonum damnum inferre justo, nec percutere principem qui recta judicat.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 Qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est, et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Stultus quoque, si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur, et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
