Proverbs 26

quomodo nix aestate et pluvia in messe sic indecens est stulto gloria

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

sicut avis ad alia transvolans et passer quolibet vadens sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

flagellum equo et camus asino et virga dorso inprudentium

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

ne respondeas stulto iuxta stultitiam suam ne efficiaris ei similis

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

responde stulto iuxta stultitiam suam ne sibi sapiens esse videatur

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

claudus pedibus et iniquitatem bibens qui mittit verba per nuntium stultum

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti sic parabola in ore stultorum

As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

iudicium determinat causas et qui inponit stulto silentium iras mitigat

The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum sic inprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri magis illo spem habebit stultus

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

dicit piger leaena in via leo in itineribus

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo ita piger in lectulo suo

As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

abscondit piger manus sub ascellas suas et laborat si ad os suum eas converterit

The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

sicut qui adprehendit auribus canem sic qui transit et inpatiens commiscetur rixae alterius

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

sicut noxius est qui mittit lanceas et sagittas et mortem

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

sic vir qui fraudulenter nocet amico suo et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit ludens feci

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis et susurrone subtracto iurgia conquiescunt

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

sicut carbones ad prunam et ligna ad ignem sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

verba susurronis quasi simplicia et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

labiis suis intellegitur inimicus cum in corde tractaverit dolos

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

quando submiserit vocem suam ne credideris ei quoniam septem nequitiae sunt in corde illius

When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

qui operit odium fraudulenter revelabitur malitia eius in concilio

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

qui fodit foveam incidet in eam et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

lingua fallax non amat veritatem et os lubricum operatur ruinas

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.