Liber Ecclesiasticus, 31

1. vigilia honestatis tabefacit carnes et cogitatus illius auferet somnum

1. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.

2. cogitatus præsentiæ avertit sensum et infirmitas gravis sobriam facit animam

2. The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.

3. laboravit dives in congregatione substantiæ et in requie sua replebitur bonorum suorum

3. The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.

4. laboravit pauper in diminutione victus et in fine inops fit

4. The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.

5. qui aurum diligit non justificabitur et qui insequitur consumptionem replebitur ex ea

5. He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.

6. multi dati sunt in auri casus et facta est in facie ipsius perditio illorum

6. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.

7. lignum offensionis est aurum sacrificantium væ illis qui sectantur illud et omnis inprudens deperiet in illo

7. Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.

8. beatus dives qui inventus est sine macula et qui post aurum non abiit nec speravit in pecunia et thesauris

8. Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.

9. quis est hic et laudabimus eum fecit enim mirabilia in vita sua

9. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.

10. quis probatus est in illo et perfectus est et erit illi in gloria æterna qui potuit transgredi et non est transgressus et facere mala et non fecit

10. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:

11. ideo stabilita sunt bona illius in Deo et elemosynas illius enarrabit ecclesia sanctorum

11. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.

12. de continentia supra mensam magnam sedisti non aperias super illam faucem tuam prior

12. Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.

13. non dicas simulata sunt quæ super illa sunt

13. Say not: There are many things which are upon it.

14. memento quoniam malum oculus nequa

14. Remember that a wicked eye is evil.

15. nequius oculo quid creatum est ideo ab omni facie sua lacrimabitur cum viderit

15. What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.

16. ne extendas manum tuam prior et invidia contaminatus obrubescas

16. Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.

17. nec conprimaris in convivio

17. Be not hasty in a feast.

18. intellege proximi tui ex te ipso

18. Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.

19. utere quasi homo frugi quæ tibi adponuntur et non cum manducas multum odio habearis

19. Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.

20. cessa prior causa disciplinæ et noli nimius esse ne forte offendas

20. Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.

21. et si in medio multorum sedisti prior illis non extendas manum tuam nec prior poscas bibere

21. 21And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink.

22. quam sufficiens est homini erudito vinum exiguum et in dormiendo non laborabis ab illo et non senties dolorem

22. How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.

23. vigilia et cholera et tortura viro infrunito

23. Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:

24. somnus sanitatis in homine parco dormiet usque in mane et anima illius cum ipso delectabitur

24. Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.

25. et si coactus fueris in edendo multum surge e medio et vome et refrigerabit te et non adduces corpori tuo infirmitates

25. And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.

26. audi me fili et ne spernas me et in novissimo invenies mea verba

26. Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.

27. in omnibus operibus tuis esto velox et omnis infirmitas non occurret tibi

27. In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.

28. splendidum in panibus benedicent labia multorum et testimonium veritatis illius fidele

28. The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.

29. in nequissimo pane murmurabit civitas et testimonium nequitiæ illius verum est

29. Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.

30. diligentes in vino noli provocare multos enim exterminavit vinum

30. Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.

31. ignis probat ferrum durum sic vinum corda superborum arguet in ebrietate potatum

31. Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.

32. æquavit in vita vinum hominibus si bibas illud moderate eris sobrius

32. Wine taken with sobriety is equal lire to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.

33. quæ est vita quæ minuitur vino

33. What is his life, who is diminished with wine?

34. quid defraudat vitam mors

34. What taketh away life? death.

35. vinum in jucunditate creatum est non in ebrietate ab initio

35. Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.

36. exultatio animæ et cordis vinum moderate potatum

36. Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.

37. sanitas est et corpori et animæ

37. Sober drinking is health to soul and body.

38. vinum multum potatum inritationem et iram et ruinas multas facit

38. Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels; and wrath, and many ruins.

39. amaritudo animæ vinum multum potatum

39. Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.

40. ebrietatis animositas inprudentis offensio minorans virtutem et faciens vulnera

40. The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.

41. in convivio vini non arguas proximum et non despicias eum in jucunditate illius

41. Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in hip mirth.

42. verba inproperii non dicas illi et non premas illum in repetendo

42. Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.