Liber Ecclesiasticus, 20
1. quam bonum est arguere quam irasci et confitentem in oratione non prohibere
1. How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.
2. concupiscentia spadonis devirginavit juvenem
2. The lust of an eunuch shall devour a young maiden:
3. sic qui facit per vim judicium inique
3. So is he that by violence executeth unjust judgment.
4. quam bonum est correptum manifestare pænitentiam sic enim effugies voluntarium peccatum est tacens qui invenitur sapiens
4. How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin.
5. et est odibilis qui procax est ad loquendum
5. There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.
6. est autem tacens non habens sensum loquellæ et est tacens sciens tempus apti temporis
6. There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.
7. homo sapiens tacebit usque ad tempus lascivus autem et inprudens non servabunt tempus
7. A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.
8. qui multis utitur verbis lædit animam suam et qui potestatem sibi adsumit iniuste odietur
8. He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.
9. est processio in malis viro indisciplinato et est inventio in detrimentum
9. There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.
10. est datus qui non sit utilis et est datus cujus retributio duplex
10. There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double.
11. est propter gloriam minoratio et est qui ab humilitate levavit caput
11. There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.
12. est qui multa redimat modico pretio et restituens ea septuplum
12. There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold.
13. sapiens in verbis se ipsum amabilem facit gratiæ autem fatuorum effundentur
13. A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
14. datus insipientis non erit utilis tibi oculi enim illius septimplices sunt
14. The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.
15. exigua dabit et multa inproperabit et apertio oris illius inflammatio est
15. He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.
16. hodie fenerat quis et cras expetit et odibilis homo hujusmodi
16. To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.
17. fatuo non erit amicus et non erit gratia bonis illius
17. A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.
18. qui enim edunt panem illius falsi linguæ sunt quotiens et quanti inridebunt eum
18. For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!
19. neque enim quod habendum erat directo sensu distribuit similiter et quod non erat habendum
19. For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.
20. lapsus falsæ linguæ quasi qui pavimento cadens nam et sic casus malorum festinanter venient
20. The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
21. homo acharis quasi fabula vana in ore indisciplinatorum adsidua erit
21. A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise.
22. ex ore fatui reprobabitur parabola non enim dicit illam in tempore suo
22. A parable coming out, of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season.
23. est qui vetatur peccare ab inopia et in requie sua stimulabitur
23. There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked.
24. est qui perdit animam suam præ confusione et ab inprudenti persona perdet eam personæ autem acceptione perdet se
24. There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.
25. est qui præ confusione promittit amico et lucratus est eum inimicum gratis
25. There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
26. obprobrium nequa in homine mendacium et in ore indisciplinatorum adsidue erit
26. A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.
27. potius furem quam adsiduitas viri mendacis perditionem autem ambo hereditabunt
27. A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.
28. mores hominum mendacium sine honore et confusio illius cum ipso sine intermissione
28. The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing.
29. verbum parabolarum sapiens in verbis producet se ipsum et homo prudens placebit magnatis
29. A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones.
30. qui operatur terram suam inaltabit acervum fructuum et qui operatur justitiam ipse exaltabitur qui vero placet magnatis effugiet iniquitatem
30. He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.
31. xenia et dona excæcant oculos judicum et quasi mutus in ore avertit correptiones eorum
31. Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.
32. sapientia absconsa et thesaurus invisus quæ utilitas in utrisque
32. Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both?
33. melius in hominibus qui abscondent insipientiam suam quam qui abscondunt sapientiam suam
33. Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.
