Proverbiorum 17
1 Melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio, quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
2 Servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis, et inter fratres hereditatem dividet.
A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 Sicut igne probatur argentum, et aurum camino: ita corda probat Dominus.
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 Malus obedit linguae iniquae: et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.
The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Qui despicit pauperem, exprobrat factori eius: et qui ruina laetatur alterius, non erit impunitus.
Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
6 Corona senum filii filiorum: et gloria filiorum patres eorum.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Non decent stultum verba composita: nec principem labium mentiens.
Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
8 Gemma gratissima, expectatio praestolantis: quocumque se vertit, prudenter intelligit.
A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
9 Qui celat delictum, quaerit amicitias: qui altero sermone repetit, separat foederatos.
He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
10 Plus proficit correptio apud prudentem, quam centum plagae apud stultum.
A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Semper iurgia quaerit malus: angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum.
An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Expedit magis ursae occurrere raptis foetibus, quam fatuo confidenti in stultitia sua.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Qui reddit mala pro bonis, non recedet malum de domo eius.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Qui dimittit aquam, caput est iurgiorum: et antequam patiatur contumeliam, iudicium deserit.
The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
15 Qui iustificat impium, et qui condemnat iustum, abominabilis est uterque apud Deum.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
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.
To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
17 Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est: et frater in angustiis comprobatur.
The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 Stultus homo plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo.
A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
19 Qui meditatur discordias, diligit rixas: et qui exaltat os suum, quaerit ruinam.
He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 Qui perversi cordis est, non inveniet bonum: et qui vertit linguam, incidet in malum.
He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
21 Natus est stultus in ignominiam suam: sed nec pater in fatuo laetabitur.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
22 Animus gaudens aetatem floridam facit: spiritus tristis exiccat ossa.
A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Munera de sinu impius accipit, ut pervertat semitas iudicii.
A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
24 In facie prudentis lucet sapientia: oculi stultorum in finibus terrae.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 Ira patris, filius stultus: et dolor matris quae genuit eum.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 Non est bonum, damnum inferre iusto: nec percutere principem, qui recta iudicat.
To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
27 Qui moderatur sermones suos, doctus et prudens est: et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
28 Stultus quoque si tacuerit, sapiens reputabitur: et si compresserit labia sua, intelligens.
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
