Proverbiorum 26
1 Quomodo nix in æstate, et pluviæ in messe, sic indecens est stulto gloria.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suitable for a fool.
2 Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quolibet vadens, sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Ne respondeas stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him.
5 Responde stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne sibi sapiens esse videatur.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuntium stultum.
He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.
7 Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias, sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii, ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.
9 Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti, sic parabola in ore stultorum.
As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 Judicium determinat causas, et qui imponit stulto silentium iras mitigat.
The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
11 Sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam.
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.
See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leæna in itineribus.
The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 Sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.
15 Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens et commiscetur rixæ alterius.
He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas et lanceas in mortem,
As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 ita vir fraudulenter nocet amico suo, et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit: Ludens feci.
So is the man that deceives his neighbour, and says, Am not I in sport?
20 Cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis, et susurrone subtracto, jurgia conquiescent.
Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
25 Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei, quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius.
When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia ejus in consilio.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 Qui fodit foveam incidet in eam, et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum.
Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
28 Lingua fallax non amat veritatem, et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
