Liber Proverbiorum, 26
1. quomodo nix æstate et pluvia in messe sic indecens est stulto gloria
1. As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2. sicut avis ad alia transvolans et passer quolibet vadens sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet
2. As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
3. flagellum equo et camus asino et virga dorso inprudentium
3. A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4. ne respondeas stulto juxta stultitiam suam ne efficiaris ei similis
4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
5. responde stulto juxta stultitiam suam ne sibi sapiens esse videatur
5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6. claudus pedibus et iniquitatem bibens qui mittit verba per nuntium stultum
6. He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7. quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola
7. As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
8. sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem
8. As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9. quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti sic parabola in ore stultorum
9. As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10. judicium determinat causas et qui inponit stulto silentium iras mitigat
10. Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11. sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum sic inprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam
11. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12. vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri magis illo spem habebit stultus
12. Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13. dicit piger leæna in via leo in itineribus
13. The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14. sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo ita piger in lectulo suo
14. As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15. abscondit piger manus sub ascellas suas et laborat si ad os suum eas converterit
15. The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
16. sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias
16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
17. sicut qui adprehendit auribus canem sic qui transit et inpatiens commiscetur rixæ alterius
17. As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel.
18. sicut noxius est qui mittit lanceas et sagittas et mortem
18. As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death :
19. sic vir qui fraudulenter nocet amico suo et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit ludens feci
19. So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20. cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis et susurrone subtracto jurgia conquiescunt
20. When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21. sicut carbones ad prunam et ligna ad ignem sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas
21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22. verba susurronis quasi simplicia et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris
22. The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23. quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata
23. Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24. labiis suis intellegitur inimicus cum in corde tractaverit dolos
24. An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25. quando submiserit vocem suam ne credideris ei quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius
25. When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26. qui operit odium fraudulenter revelabitur malitia ejus in concilio
26. He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27. qui fodit foveam incidet in eam et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum
27. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28. lingua fallax non amat veritatem et os lubricum operatur ruinas
28. A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
