Proverbiorum 26
1 quomodo nix aestate et pluvia in messe sic indecens est stulto gloria
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 sicut avis ad alia transvolans et passer quolibet vadens sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 flagellum equo et camus asino et virga dorso inprudentium
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 ne respondeas stulto iuxta stultitiam suam ne efficiaris ei similis
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like to him.
5 responde stulto iuxta stultitiam suam ne sibi sapiens esse videatur
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 claudus pedibus et iniquitatem bibens qui mittit verba per nuntium stultum
He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.
7 quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem
As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honor to a fool.
9 quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti sic parabola in ore stultorum
As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 iudicium determinat causas et qui inponit stulto silentium iras mitigat
The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
11 sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum sic inprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri magis illo spem habebit stultus
See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 dicit piger leaena in via leo in itineribus
The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo ita piger in lectulo suo
As the door turns on his hinges, so does the slothful on his bed.
15 abscondit piger manus sub ascellas suas et laborat si ad os suum eas converterit
The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 sicut qui adprehendit auribus canem sic qui transit et inpatiens commiscetur rixae alterius
He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 sicut noxius est qui mittit lanceas et sagittas et mortem
As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 sic vir qui fraudulenter nocet amico suo et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit ludens feci
So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and says, Am not I in sport?
20 cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis et susurrone subtracto iurgia conquiescunt
Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 sicut carbones ad prunam et ligna ad ignem sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 verba susurronis quasi simplicia et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 labiis suis intellegitur inimicus cum in corde tractaverit dolos
He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
25 quando submiserit vocem suam ne credideris ei quoniam septem nequitiae sunt in corde illius
When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 qui operit odium fraudulenter revelabitur malitia eius in concilio
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 qui fodit foveam incidet in eam et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum
Whoever digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return on him.
28 lingua fallax non amat veritatem et os lubricum operatur ruinas
A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
