Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ, nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde ejus.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit; sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri, et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate judicii.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis, et os ejus jurgia provocat.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 Os stulti contritio ejus, et labia ipsius ruina animæ ejus.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 Verba bilinguis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum dejicit timor; animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo frater est sua opera dissipantis.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 Turris fortissima nomen Domini; ad ipsum currit justus, et exaltabitur.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris ejus, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis, et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam; spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam, et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam ejus, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 Justus prior est accusator sui: venit amicus ejus, et investigabit eum.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque dijudicat.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 Frater qui adjuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma, et judicia quasi vectes urbium.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter ejus, et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Mors et vita in manu linguæ; qui diligunt eam comedent fructus ejus.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Qui invenit mulierem bonam invenit bonum, et hauriet jucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam expellit bonum; qui autem tenet adulteram stultus est et impius.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper, et dives effabitur rigide.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Vir amabilis ad societatem magis amicus erit quam frater.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
