Proverbiorum 26
1 Quomodo nix in aestate, et pluviae in messe: sic indecens est stulto gloria.
As the snowe in the sommer, and as the raine in the haruest are not meete, so is honour vnseemely for a foole.
2 Sicut avis ad alta transvolans, et passer quo libet vadens: sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.
3 Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
4 Ne respondeas stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
5 Responde stulto iuxta stultitiam suam, ne sibi sapiens esse videatur.
Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.
6 Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuncium stultum.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, is as he that cutteth off the feete, and drinketh iniquitie.
7 Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias: sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
8 Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii: ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones, so is he that giueth glory to a foole.
9 Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti: sic parabola in ore stultorum.
As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.
10 Iudicium determinat causas: et qui imponit stulto silentium, iras mitigat.
The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.
11 Sicut canis, qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens, qui iterat stultitiam suam.
As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
12 Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.
Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leaena in itineribus:
The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.
14 sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.
15 Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.
16 Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.
The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.
17 Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens, et commiscetur rixae alterius.
He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not vnto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the eares.
18 Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas, et lanceas in mortem:
As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
19 ita vir, fraudulenter nocet amico suo: et cum fuerit deprehensus, dicit: Ludens feci.
So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
20 Cum defecerint ligna, extinguetur ignis: et susurrone subtracto, iurgia conquiescunt.
Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
21 Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
22 Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
23 Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
24 Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
25 Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei: quoniam septem nequitiae sunt in corde illius.
Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
26 Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia eius in consilio.
Hatred may be couered by deceite: but the malice thereof shall be discouered in the congregation.
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 returne vnto him.
28 Lingua fallax non amat veritatem: et os lubricum operatur ruinas.
A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
