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 becoming to a fool.
2 sicut avis ad alia transvolans et passer quolibet vadens sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet
As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause 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 back of the fool.
4 ne respondeas stulto iuxta stultitiam suam ne efficiaris ei similis
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become 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 cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
7 quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola
The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem
As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti sic parabola in ore stultorum
As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 iudicium determinat causas et qui inponit stulto silentium iras mitigat
As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum sic inprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
12 vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri magis illo spem habebit stultus
Seest thou 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 saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”
14 sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo ita piger in lectulo suo
As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15 abscondit piger manus sub ascellas suas et laborat si ad os suum eas converterit
The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth 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 who can render a reason.
17 sicut qui adprehendit auribus canem sic qui transit et inpatiens commiscetur rixae alterius
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 sicut noxius est qui mittit lanceas et sagittas et mortem
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 sic vir qui fraudulenter nocet amico suo et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit ludens feci
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
20 cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis et susurrone subtracto iurgia conquiescunt
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 sicut carbones ad prunam et ligna ad ignem sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 verba susurronis quasi simplicia et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris
The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 labiis suis intellegitur inimicus cum in corde tractaverit dolos
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
25 quando submiserit vocem suam ne credideris ei quoniam septem nequitiae sunt in corde illius
When he speaketh fair, believe him not! For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 qui operit odium fraudulenter revelabitur malitia eius in concilio
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
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 return upon him.
28 lingua fallax non amat veritatem et os lubricum operatur ruinas
A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
