Liber Ecclesiasticus, 9
1. Non zeles mulierem sinus tui, ne doceas contra te notitiam ne quam.
1. Do not contend with a powerful man, lest you fall into his hands.
2. Non des mulieri potestatem animae tuae, ne ingrediatur in virtutem tuam, et confundaris.
2. Do not quarrel with a rich man, lest his resources outweigh yours; for gold has ruined many, and has perverted the minds of kings.
3. Ne adeas ad mulierem multivolam, ne forte incidas in laqueos illius.
3. Do not argue with a chatterer, nor heap wood on his fire.
4. Cum psaltria ne assiduus sis nec audias illam, ne forte pereas in efficacitate illius.
4. Do not jest with an ill-bred person, lest your ancestors be disgraced.
5. Virginem ne conspicias, ne forte scandalizeris in decore illius.
5. Do not reproach a man who is turning away from sin; remember that we all deserve punishment.
6. Ne des fornicariis animam tuam in ullo, ne perdas te et hereditatem tuam.
6. Do not disdain a man when he is old, for some of us are growing old.
7. Noli circumspicere in vicis civitatis, nec oberraveris in plateis illius.
7. Do not rejoice over any one's death; remember that we all must die.
8. Averte faciem tuam a muliere compta et ne circumspicias speciem alienam.
8. Do not slight the discourse of the sages, but busy yourself with their maxims; because from them you will gain instruction and learn how to serve great men.
9. Propter speciem mulieris multi perierunt, et ex hoc concupiscentia quasi ignis exardescit. (10. 11)
9. Do not disregard the discourse of the aged, for they themselves learned from their fathers; because from them you will gain understanding and learn how to give an answer in time of need.
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10. Do not kindle the coals of a sinner, lest you be burned in his flaming fire.
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11. Do not get up and leave an insolent fellow, lest he lie in ambush against your words.
12. Cum alterius muliere ne sedeas omnino nec accumbas cum ea super cubitum in vino,
12. Do not lend to a man who is stronger than you; but if you do lend anything, be as one who has lost it.
13. ne forte declinet cor tuum in illam, et sanguine tuo labaris in perditionem.
13. Do not give surety beyond your means, but if you give surety, be concerned as one who must pay.
14. Ne derelinquas amicum antiquum: novus enim non erit similis illi.
14. Do not go to law against a judge, for the decision will favor him because of his standing.
15. Vinum novum amicus novus: veterascet, et cum suavitate bibes illud.
15. Do not travel on the road with a foolhardy fellow, lest he be burdensome to you; for he will act as he pleases, and through his folly you will perish with him.
16. Non zeles gloriam et opes peccatoris; non enim scis quae futura sit illius subversio.
16. Do not fight with a wrathful man, and do not cross the wilderness with him; because blood is as nothing in his sight, and where no help is at hand, he will strike you down.
17. Non placeat tibi prosperitas iniustorum sciens quoniam usque ad inferos non iustificabuntur.
17. Do not consult with a fool, for he will not be able to keep a secret.
18. Longe abesto ab homine potestatem habente occidendi et non suspicaberis timorem mortis;
18. In the presence of a stranger do nothing that is to be kept secret, for you do not know what he will divulge.
19. et, si accesseris ad illum, noli aliquid committere, ne forte auferat vitam tuam.
19. Do not reveal your thoughts to every one, lest you drive away your good luck.
20. Communionem mortis scito, quoniam in medio laqueorum ingredieris et super retia ambulabis.
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21. Secundum virtutem tuam conversare cum proximo tuo et cum sapientibus et prudentibus tracta.
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22. Et cum sensato sit cogitatus tuus, et omnis enarratio tua in praeceptis Altissimi.
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23. Viri iusti sint tibi convivae, et in timore Dei sit tibi gloriatio.
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24. In manu artificum opera laudabuntur, et princeps populi in sapientia sermonis sui, in sensu vero seniorum verbum.
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25. Terribilis est in civitate sua homo linguosus, et temerarius in verbo suo odibilis erit.
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