Liber Proverbiorum, 15

1. responsio mollis frangit iram sermo durus suscitat furorem

1. A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

2. lingua sapientium ornat scientiam os fatuorum ebullit stultitiam

2. The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.

3. in omni loco oculi Domini contemplantur malos et bonos

3. The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.

4. lingua placabilis lignum vitæ quæ inmoderata est conteret spiritum

4. A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.

5. stultus inridet disciplinam patris sui qui autem custodit increpationes astutior fiet

5. A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.

6. domus justi plurima fortitudo et in fructibus impii conturbatur

6. The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.

7. labia sapientium disseminabunt scientiam cor stultorum dissimile erit

7. The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.

8. victimæ impiorum abominabiles Domino vota justorum placabilia

8. The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.

9. abominatio est Domino via impii qui sequitur justitiam diligetur ab eo

9. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.

10. doctrina mala deserenti viam qui increpationes odit morietur

10. Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.

11. infernus et perditio coram Domino quanto magis corda filiorum hominum

11. Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?

12. non amat pestilens eum qui se corripit nec ad sapientes graditur

12. A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.

13. cor gaudens exhilarat faciem in mærore animi deicitur spiritus

13. A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.

14. cor sapientis quærit doctrinam et os stultorum pascetur inperitia

14. The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15. omnes dies pauperis mali secura mens quasi juge convivium

15. All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.

16. melius est parum cum timore Domini quam thesauri magni et insatiabiles

16. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content,

17. melius est vocare ad holera cum caritate quam ad vitulum saginatum cum odio

17. It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.

18. vir iracundus provocat rixas qui patiens est mitigat suscitatas

18. A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.

19. iter pigrorum quasi sepes spinarum via justorum absque offendiculo

19. The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns; the way of the just is without offence.

20. filius sapiens lætificat patrem et stultus homo despicit matrem suam

20. A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.

21. stultitia gaudium stulto et vir prudens dirigit gressus

21. Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.

22. dissipantur cogitationes ubi non est consilium ubi vero plures sunt consiliarii confirmantur

22. Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.

23. lætatur homo in sententia oris sui et sermo oportunus est optimus

23. A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.

24. semita vitæ super eruditum ut declinet de inferno novissimo

24. The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.

25. domum superborum demolietur Dominus et firmos facit terminos viduæ

25. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.

26. abominatio Domini cogitationes malæ et purus sermo pulcherrimus

26. Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.

27. conturbat domum suam qui sectatur avaritiam qui autem odit munera vivet

27. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.

28. mens justi meditatur obœdientiam os impiorum redundat malis

28. The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked over floweth with evils.

29. longe est Dominus ab impiis et orationes justorum exaudiet

29. The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.

30. lux oculorum lætificat animam fama bona inpinguat ossa

30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.

31. auris quæ audit increpationes vitæ in medio sapientium commorabitur

31. The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.

32. qui abicit disciplinam despicit animam suam qui adquiescit increpationibus possessor est cordis

32. He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof possesseth understanding.

33. timor Domini disciplina sapientiæ et gloriam præcedit humilitas

33. The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.