Liber Proverbiorum, 25

1. hæc quoque parabolæ Salomonis quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Juda

1. These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.

2. gloria Dei celare verbum et gloria regum investigare sermonem

2. It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.

3. cælum sursum et terra deorsum et cor regum inscrutabile

3. The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4. aufer robiginem de argento et egredietur vas purissimum

4. Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:

5. aufer impietatem de vultu regis et firmabitur justitia thronus ejus

5. Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.

6. ne gloriosus appareas coram rege et in loco magnorum ne steteris

6. Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.

7. melius est enim ut dicatur tibi ascende huc quam ut humilieris coram principe

7. For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.

8. quæ viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in jurgio cito ne postea emendare non possis cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum

8. The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest after- ward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.

9. causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo et secretum extraneo non reveles

9. Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:

10. ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit et exprobrare non cesset

10. Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.

11. mala aurea in lectis argenteis qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo

11. To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.

12. inauris aurea et margaritum fulgens qui arguit sapientem et aurem obœdientem

12. As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.

13. sicut frigus nivis in die messis ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum animam illius requiescere facit

13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.

14. nubes et ventus et pluviæ non sequentes vir gloriosus et promissa non conplens

14. As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.

15. patientia lenietur princeps et lingua mollis confringet duritiam

15. By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.

16. mel invenisti comede quod sufficit tibi ne forte saturatus evomas illud

16. Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.

17. subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui nequando satiatus oderit te

17. Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.

18. jaculum et gladius et sagitta acuta homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum testimonium falsum

18. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.

19. dens putridus et pes lapsus qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ

19. To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,

20. et amittit pallium in die frigoris acetum in nitro et qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo

20. And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.

21. si esurierit inimicus tuus ciba illum et si sitierit da ei aquam bibere

21. If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:

22. prunam enim congregabis super caput ejus et Dominus reddet tibi

22. For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.

23. ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias et facies tristis linguam detrahentem

23. The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.

24. melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi

24. It is better to sit m a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.

25. aqua frigida animæ sitienti et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua

25. As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.

26. fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta justus cadens coram impio

26. A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.

27. sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum sic qui scrutator est majestatis opprimitur gloria

27. As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.

28. sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum

28. As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.