Proverbiorum 17
1 melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio
Better is a piece of dry bread, and quiet therewith, than a house full of the sacrifices of contention.
2 servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis et inter fratres hereditatem dividet
An intelligent servant will have rule over a son that bringeth shame, and among the brothers will he have part of the inheritance.
3 sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino ita corda probat Dominus
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord probeth the hearts.
4 malus oboedit linguae iniquae et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus
An evil-doer listeneth to unjust lips: falsehood giveth ear to a tongue that bringeth destruction.
5 qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori eius et qui in ruina laetatur alterius non erit inpunitus
Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.
6 corona senum filii filiorum et gloria filiorum patres sui
The crown of old men are children's children; and the ornament of children are their fathers.
7 non decent stultum verba conposita nec principem labium mentiens
High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.
8 gemma gratissima expectatio praestolantis quocumque se verterit prudenter intellegit
As a precious stone appeareth a bribe in the eyes of him that obtaineth it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 qui celat delictum quaerit amicitias qui altero sermone repetit separat foederatos
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth confident friends.
10 plus proficit correptio apud prudentem quam centum plagae apud stultum
A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 semper iurgia quaerit malus angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum
Only rebellion doth a bad man seek: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent out against him.
12 expedit magis ursae occurrere raptis fetibus quam fatuo confidenti sibi in stultitia sua
A man may meet a she-bear robbed of her whelps, but not a fool in his folly.
13 qui reddit mala pro bonis non recedet malum de domo eius
Whoso bestoweth evil in return for good—evil shall not depart from his house.
14 qui dimittit aquam caput est iurgiorum et antequam patiatur contumeliam iudicium deserit
As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife: therefore before it be enkindled, leave off the contest.
15 et qui iustificat impium et qui condemnat iustum abominabilis est uterque apud Dominum
He that declareth the wicked innocent, and he that condemneth the righteous, yea, both of them are equally an abomination to the Lord.
16 quid prodest habere divitias stultum cum sapientiam emere non possit
Wherefore is the purchase-money in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?
17 omni tempore diligit qui amicus est et frater in angustiis conprobatur
A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is he born for [the time of] distress.
18 homo stultus plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo
A man void of sense pledgeth his hand, and becometh surety for his friend.
19 qui meditatur discordiam diligit rixas et qui exaltat ostium quaerit ruinam
He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.
20 qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum
He that hath a froward heart will not find happiness; and he that hath a perverse tongue will fall into evil.
21 natus est stultus in ignominiam suam sed nec pater in fatuo laetabitur
He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow; and the father of a worthless fool cannot have any joy.
22 animus gaudens aetatem floridam facit spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa
A merry heart causeth a healthy appearance of the countenance, but a depressed spirit drieth up the bones.
23 munera de sinu impius accipit ut pervertat semitas iudicii
A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of justice.
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 at the ends of the earth.
25 ira patris filius stultus et dolor matris quae genuit eum
A foolish son is a vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that hath born him.
26 non est bonum damnum inferre iusto nec percutere principem qui recta iudicat
To punish the just with a fine even is not good, nor to strike the noble [-hearted] for [their] equity.
27 qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus
He that holdeth back his speeches hath knowledge; and he that is sparing of his spirit is a man of understanding.
28 stultus quoque si tacuerit sapiens putabitur et si conpresserit labia sua intellegens
Even a fool, when he keepeth silence, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
