Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quaerit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiae: nisi ea dixeris quae versantur in corde eius.
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiae.
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
5 Accipere personam impii in iudicio non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
7 Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animae eius.
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animae autem effeminatorum esurient.
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
10 Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsam currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quaerit doctrinam.
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
17 Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
19 Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
21 Mors, et vita in manu linguae: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Qui invenit mulierem bonam, invenit bonum: et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam, expellit bonum: qui autem tenet adulteram, stultus est et insipiens.
He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquitur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
24 Vir amicabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
