Liber Proverbiorum, 20

1. luxuriosa res vinum et tumultuosa ebrietas quicumque his delectatur non erit sapiens

1. Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.

2. sicut rugitus leonis ita terror regis qui provocat eum peccat in animam suam

2. As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.

3. honor est homini qui separat se a contentionibus omnes autem stulti miscentur contumeliis

3. It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.

4. propter frigus piger arare noluit mendicabit ergo æstate et non dabitur ei

4. Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.

5. sicut aqua profunda sic consilium in corde viri sed homo sapiens exhauriet illud

5. Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.

6. multi homines misericordes vocantur virum autem fidelem quis inveniet

6. Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?

7. justus qui ambulat in simplicitate sua beatos post se filios derelinquet

7. The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.

8. rex qui sedet in solio judicii dissipat omne malum intuitu suo

8. The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.

9. quis potest dicere mundum est cor meum purus sum a peccato

9. Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?

10. pondus et pondus mensura et mensura utrumque abominabile est apud Deum

10. Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.

11. ex studiis suis intellegitur puer si munda et si recta sint opera ejus

11. By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.

12. aurem audientem et oculum videntem Dominus fecit utrumque

12. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.

13. noli diligere somnum ne te egestas opprimat aperi oculos tuos et saturare panibus

13. Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.

14. malum est malum est dicit omnis emptor et cum recesserit tunc gloriabitur

14. It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.

15. est aurum et multitudo gemmarum vas autem pretiosum labia scientiæ

15. There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.

16. tolle vestimentum ejus qui fidejussor extitit alieni et pro extraneis aufer pignus ab eo

16. Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.

17. suavis est homini panis mendacii et postea implebitur os ejus calculo

17. The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

18. cogitationes consiliis roborantur et gubernaculis tractanda sunt bella

18. Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.

19. ei qui revelat mysteria et ambulat fraudulenter et dilatat labia sua ne commiscearis

19. Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.

20. qui maledicit patri suo et matri extinguetur lucerna ejus in mediis tenebris

20. He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.

21. hereditas ad quam festinatur in principio in novissimo benedictione carebit

21. The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.

22. ne dicas reddam malum expecta Dominum et liberabit te

22. Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.

23. abominatio est apud Deum pondus et pondus statera dolosa non est bona

23. Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.

24. a Domino diriguntur gressus viri quis autem hominum intellegere potest viam suam

24. The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?

25. ruina est hominis devorare sanctos et post vota tractare

25. It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.

26. dissipat impios rex sapiens et curvat super eos fornicem

26. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.

27. lucerna Domini spiraculum hominis quæ investigat omnia secreta ventris

27. The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.

28. misericordia et veritas custodiunt regem et roboratur clementia thronus ejus

28. Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.

29. exultatio juvenum fortitudo eorum et dignitas senum canities

29. The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.

30. livor vulneris absterget mala et plagæ in secretioribus ventris

30. The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more in- ward parts of the belly.