Proverbiorum 17
1 Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio, quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio.
Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
2 Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hereditatem dividet.
A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
3 Sicut igne probatur argentum, et aurum camino: ita corda probat Dominus.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 Malus obedit linguae iniquae: et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 Qui despicit pauperem, exprobrat factori eius: et qui ruina laetatur alterius, non erit impunitus.
He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.
6 Corona senum filii filiorum: et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
7 Non decent stultum verba composita: nec principem labium mentiens.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 Gemma gratissima, expectatio praestolantis: quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 Qui celat delictum, quaerit amicitias: qui altero sermone repetit, separat foederatos.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagae apud stultum.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 Semper iurgia quaerit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 Expedit magis ursae occurrere raptis foetibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo eius.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 Qui dimittit aquam, caput est iurgiorum: et antequam patiatur contumeliam, iudicium deserit.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 Qui iustificat impium, et qui condemnat iustum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
16 Quid prodest stulto habere divitias, cum sapientiam emere non possit? Qui altum facit domum suam, quaerit ruinam: et qui evitat discere, incidet in mala.
Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.
17 Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est: et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
Have thou a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 Stultus homo plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 Qui meditatur discordias, diligit rixas: et qui exaltat os suum, quaerit ruinam.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 Qui perversi cordis est, non inveniet bonum: et qui vertit linguam, incidet in malum.
and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21 Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam: sed nec pater in fatuo laetabitur.
and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
22 Animus gaudens aetatem floridam facit: spiritus tristis exiccat ossa.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas iudicii.
The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
24 In facie prudentis lucet sapientia: oculi stultorum in finibus terrae.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.
25 Ira patris, filius stultus: et dolor matris quae genuit eum.
A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 Non est bonum, damnum inferre iusto: nec percutere principem, qui recta iudicat.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 Qui moderatur sermones suos, doctus et prudens est: et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 Stultus quoque si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur: et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
