Liber Ecclesiasticus, 31

1. Vigilia divitis tabefacit carnes, et cogitatus illius aufert somnum;

1. He who loves his son will whip him often, in order that he may rejoice at the way he turns out.

2. cogitatus victus avertit somnum, et infirmitas gravis a somno excitat.

2. He who disciplines his son will profit by him, and will boast of him among acquaintances.

3. Laboravit dives in congregatione substantiae et, si requiescit, replebitur deliciis suis;

3. He who teaches his son will make his enemies envious, and will glory in him in the presence of friends.

4. laboravit pauper in penuria victus et, si requiescit, inops fit.

4. The father may die, and yet he is not dead, for he has left behind him one like himself;

5. Qui aurum diligit, non iustificabitur, et, qui insequitur lucrum, in eo oberrabit.

5. while alive he saw and rejoiced, and when he died he was not grieved;

6. Multi dati sunt in ruinam auri gratia, et facta est in facie ipsorum perditio illorum.

6. he has left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one to repay the kindness of his friends.

7. Lignum offensionis est aurum sacrificantium; vae illis, qui sectantur illud: et omnis imprudens capietur in illo.

7. He who spoils his son will bind up his wounds, and his feelings will be troubled at every cry.

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

8. A horse that is untamed turns out to be stubborn, and a son unrestrained turns out to be wilful.

9. Quis est hic, et laudabimus eum? Fecit enim mirabilia in populo suo.

9. Pamper a child, and he will frighten you; play with him, and he will give you grief.

10. Quis probatus est in illo et perfectus est? Erit illi gloria aeterna. Quis potuit transgredi et non est transgressus, facere mala et non fecit?

10. Do not laugh with him, lest you have sorrow with him, and in the end you will gnash your teeth.

11. Ideo stabilita sunt bona illius in Domino, et eleemosynas illius enarrabit omnis ecclesia sanctorum.

11. Give him no authority in his youth, and do not ignore his errors.

12. De continentia. Supra mensam magnam sedisti? Non aperias super illam faucem tuam prior.

12. Bow down his neck in his youth, and beat his sides while he is young, lest he become stubborn and disobey you, and you have sorrow of soul from him.

13. Non dicas: “Multa sunt, quae super illam sunt!”.

13. Discipline your son and take pains with him, that you may not be offended by his shamelessness.

14. Memento quoniam malum est oculus nequam; oculum nequam odit Deus.

14. Better off is a poor man who is well and strong in constitution than a rich man who is severely afflicted in body.

15. Nequius oculo quid creatum est? Ideo ab omni facie lacrimatur.

15. Health and soundness are better than all gold, and a robust body than countless riches.

16. Quocumque aspexerit, ne extendas manum tuam prior et invidia contaminatus erubescas;

16. There is no wealth better than health of body, and there is no gladness above joy of heart.

17. nec comprimaris cum eo in catino.

17. Death is better than a miserable life, and eternal rest than chronic sickness.

18. Intellege, quae sunt proximi tui, ex teipso et de omni verbo cogita;

18. Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed are like offerings of food placed upon a grave.

19. utere quasi homo frugi his, quae tibi apponuntur, ne, cum manducas multum, odio habearis.

19. Of what use to an idol is an offering of fruit? For it can neither eat nor smell. So is he who is afflicted by the Lord;

20. Cessa prior disciplinae causa et noli nimius esse, ne forte offendas.

20. he sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a maiden and groans.

21. Et, si in medio multorum sedisti, prior illis ne extendas manum tuam nec prior poscas bibere.

21. Do not give yourself over to sorrow, and do not afflict yourself deliberately.

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

22. Gladness of heart is the life of man, and the rejoicing of a man is length of days.

23. Vigilia, cholera et tortura ventris viro infrunito;

23. Delight your soul and comfort your heart, and remove sorrow far from you, for sorrow has destroyed many, and there is no profit in it.

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

24. Jealousy and anger shorten life, and anxiety brings on old age too soon.

25. Et, si coactus fueris in edendo multum, surge e medio, evome, et refrigerabit te, et non adduces corpori tuo infirmitatem.

25. A man of cheerful and good heart will give heed to the food he eats.

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

26.

27. In omnibus operibus tuis esto modestus, et omnis infirmitas non occurret tibi.

27.

28. Splendidum in panibus benedicent labia multorum, et testimonium bonitatis illius fidele;

28.

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

29.

30. In vino noli provocare; multos enim exterminavit vinum.

30.

31. Fornax probat aciem ferri in intinctione: sic vinum in lite corda superborum.

31.

32. Quasi vita hominibus vinum, si bibas illud moderate.

32.

33. Quae est vita ei, qui minuitur vino?

33.

34. Quid defraudat vitam? Mors.

34.

35. Vinum in iucunditatem creatum est et non in ebrietatem, ab initio.

35.

36. Exsultatio animae et gaudium et voluptas cordis vinum moderate potatum in tempore;

36.

37. sanitas est animae et corpori sobrius potus.

37.

38. Vinum multum potatum irritationem et iram et ruinas multas facit.

38.

39. Amaritudo animae vinum multum potatum in irritatione et ruina.

39.

40. Ebrietas multiplicat animositatem imprudentis in offensionem, minorans virtutem et faciens vulnera.

40.

41. In convivio vini non arguas proximum et non despicias eum in iucunditate illius;

41.

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

42.