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 honor is not becoming to a fool.
2 Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quolibet vadens, sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause 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 back of the fool.
4 Ne respondeas stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to 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 cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
7 Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias, sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii, ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti, sic parabola in ore stultorum.
As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Judicium determinat causas, et qui imponit stulto silentium iras mitigat.
As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 Sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
12 Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.
Seest thou 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 saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”
14 Sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15 Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth 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 who can render a reason.
17 Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens et commiscetur rixæ alterius.
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas et lanceas in mortem,
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 ita vir fraudulenter nocet amico suo, et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit: Ludens feci.
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
20 Cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis, et susurrone subtracto, jurgia conquiescent.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
25 Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei, quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not! For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia ejus in consilio.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
27 Qui fodit foveam incidet in eam, et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 Lingua fallax non amat veritatem, et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
