Liber Proverbiorum, 18

1. occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico omni tempore erit exprobrabilis

1. He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.

2. non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde ejus

2. A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.

3. impius cum in profundum venerit peccatorum contemnit sed sequitur eum ignominia et obprobrium

3. The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sine, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.

4. aqua profunda verba ex ore viri et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ

4. Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.

5. accipere personam impii non est bonum ut declines a veritate judicii

5. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.

6. labia stulti inmiscunt se rixis et os ejus jurgia provocat

6. The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.

7. os stulti contritio ejus et labia illius ruina animæ ejus

7. The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.

8. verba bilinguis quasi simplicia et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris

8. The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.

9. qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo frater est sua opera dissipantis

9. He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.

10. turris fortissima nomen Domini ad ipsum currit justus et exaltabitur

10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.

11. substantia divitis urbs roboris ejus et quasi murus validus circumdans eum

11. The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.

12. antequam conteratur exaltatur cor hominis et antequam glorificetur humiliatur

12. Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.

13. qui prius respondit quam audiat stultum se esse demonstrat et confusione dignum

13. He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.

14. spiritus viri sustentat inbecillitatem suam spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere

14. The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?

15. cor prudens possidebit scientiam et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam

15. A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.

16. donum hominis dilatat viam ejus et ante principes spatium ei facit

16. A man's gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.

17. justus prior est accusator sui venit amicus ejus et investigavit eum

17. The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.

18. contradictiones conprimit sors et inter potentes quoque dijudicat

18. The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

19. frater qui adiuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma et judicia quasi vectes urbium

19. A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.

20. de fructu oris viri replebitur venter ejus et genimina labiorum illius saturabunt eum

20. Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.

21. mors et vita in manu linguæ qui diligunt eam comedent fructus ejus

21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.

22. qui invenit mulierem invenit bonum et hauriet jucunditatem a Domino

22. He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.

23. cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper et dives effabitur rigide

23. The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.

24. vir amicalis ad societatem magis amicus erit quam frater

24. A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.