Liber Sapientiae, 6

1. melior est sapientia quam vires et vir prudens magis quam fortis

1. Wisdom is better than strength, and a wise man is better than a strong man.

2. audite ergo reges et intellegite discite judices finium terræ

2. Hear therefore, ye kings, and understand: learn, ye that are judges of the ends of the earth.

3. præbete aures vos qui continetis multitudines et placetis vobis in turbis nationum

3. Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:

4. quoniam data est a Domino potestas vobis et virtus ab Altissimo qui interrogabit opera vestra et cogitationes scrutabitur

4. For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works, and search out your thoughts:

5. quoniam cum essetis ministri regni illius non recte judicastis neque custodistis legem justitiæ neque secundum voluntatem Dei ambulastis

5. Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God.

6. horrende et cito apparebit vobis quoniam judicium durissimum in his qui præsunt fiet

6. Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.

7. exiguo enim conceditur misericordia potentes autem potenter tormenta patientur

7. For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.

8. non enim subtrahet personam cujusquam Dominus nec reverebitur magnitudinem cujusquam quoniam pusillum et magnum ipse fecit et æqualiter cura est illi pro omnibus

8. For God will not except any man's person, neither will he stand in awe of any man's greatness: for he made the little and the great, and he hath equally care of all.

9. fortioribus autem fortior instat cruciatio

9. But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.

10. ad vos ergo reges sunt hi sermones mei ut discatis sapientiam et non excidatis

10. To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.

11. qui enim custodierint justa juste justificabuntur et qui didicerint ista invenient quid respondeant

11. For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer.

12. concupiscite ergo sermones meos diligite illos et habebitis disciplinam

12. Covet ye therefore my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction.

13. clara est et quæ numquam marcescat sapientia et facile videtur ab his qui diligunt eam et invenietur ab his qui quærunt illam

13. Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her.

14. præoccupat qui se concupiscunt ut illis se prior ostendat

14. She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them.

15. qui de luce vigilaverit ad illam non laborabit adsidentem enim illam foribus suis inveniet

15. He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door.

16. cogitare ergo de illa sensus est consummatus et qui vigilaverit propter illam cito erit securus

16. To think therefore upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.

17. quoniam dignos se ipsa circuit quærens et in viis ostendit se illis hilariter et in omni providentia occurrit illis

17. For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she sheweth herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meeteth them with all providence.

18. initium enim illius verissima est disciplinæ concupiscentia

18. For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.

19. cura ergo disciplinæ dilectio est et dilectio custoditio legum illius est custoditio autem legum consummatio incorruptionis est

19. And the care of discipline is love: and love is the keeping of her laws: and the keeping of her laws is the firm foundation of incorruption:

20. incorruptio autem facit esse proximum Deo

20. And incorruption bringeth near to God.

21. concupiscentia itaque sapientiæ deducet ad regnum perpetuum

21. Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.

22. si ergo delectamini sedibus et stemmatibus reges populi diligite sapientiam ut in perpetuum regnetis

22. If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever.

23. []

23. Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples.

24. quid est autem sapientia et quemadmodum facta sit referam et non abscondam a vobis sacramenta Dei sed ab initio nativitatis investigabo et ponam in lucem scientiam illius et non præteribo veritatem

24. Now what wisdom is, and what was her origin, I will declare: and I will not hide from you the mysteries of God, but will seek her out from the beginning of her birth, and bring the knowledge of her to light, and will not pass over the truth:

25. neque cum invidia tabescente iter habebo quoniam ista non erit particeps sapientiæ

25. Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.

26. multitudo autem sapientium sanitas est orbis terrarum et rex sapiens populi stabilimentum est

26. Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.

27. ergo accipite disciplinam per sermones meos et proderit vobis

27. Receive therefore instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you.