Liber Proverbiorum, 17

1. melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum jurgio

1. Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.

2. servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis et inter fratres hereditatem dividet

2. A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.

3. sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino ita corda probat Dominus

3. As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.

4. malus obœdit linguæ iniquæ et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus

4. The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.

5. qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori ejus et qui in ruina lætatur alterius non erit inpunitus

5. He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man's ruin, shall not be unpunished.

6. corona senum filii filiorum et gloria filiorum patres sui

6. Children's children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.

7. non decent stultum verba conposita nec principem labium mentiens

7. Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

8. gemma gratissima expectatio præstolantis quocumque se verterit prudenter intellegit

8. The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.

9. qui celat delictum quærit amicitias qui altero sermone repetit separat fœderatos

9. He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.

10. plus proficit correptio apud prudentem quam centum plagæ apud stultum

10. A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.

11. semper jurgia quærit malus angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum

11. An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.

12. expedit magis ursæ occurrere raptis fetibus quam fatuo confidenti sibi in stultitia sua

12. It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.

13. qui reddit mala pro bonis non recedet malum de domo ejus

13. He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14. qui dimittit aquam caput est jurgiorum et antequam patiatur contumeliam judicium deserit

14. The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.

15. et qui justificat impium et qui condemnat justum abominabilis est uterque apud Dominum

15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.

16. quid prodest habere divitias stultum cum sapientiam emere non possit

16. What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.

17. omni tempore diligit qui amicus est et frater in angustiis conprobatur

17. He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.

18. homo stultus plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo

18. A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.

19. qui meditatur discordiam diligit rixas et qui exaltat ostium quærit ruinam

19. He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.

20. qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum

20. He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.

21. natus est stultus in ignominiam suam sed nec pater in fatuo lætabitur

21. A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.

22. animus gaudens ætatem floridam facit spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa

22. A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.

23. munera de sinu impius accipit ut pervertat semitas judicii

23. The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.

24. in facie prudentis lucet sapientia oculi stultorum in finibus terræ

24. Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.

25. ira patris filius stultus et dolor matris quæ genuit eum

25. A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.

26. non est bonum damnum inferre justo nec percutere principem qui recta judicat

26. It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.

27. qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus

27. He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.

28. stultus quoque si tacuerit sapiens putabitur et si conpresserit labia sua intellegens

28. Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.