1 occasiones quaerit qui vult recedere ab amico
omni tempore erit exprobrabilis
2 non recipit stultus verba prudentiae
nisi ea dixeris quae versantur in corde eius
3 impius cum in profundum venerit peccatorum contemnit
sed sequitur eum ignominia et obprobrium
4 aqua profunda verba ex ore viri
et torrens redundans fons sapientiae
5 accipere personam impii non est bonum
ut declines a veritate iudicii
6 labia stulti inmiscunt se rixis
et os eius iurgia provocat
7 os stulti contritio eius
et labia illius ruina animae eius
8 verba bilinguis quasi simplicia
et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris
9 qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo
frater est sua opera dissipantis
10 turris fortissima nomen Domini
ad ipsum currit iustus et exaltabitur
11 substantia divitis urbs roboris eius
et quasi murus validus circumdans eum
12 antequam conteratur exaltatur cor hominis
et antequam glorificetur humiliatur
13 qui prius respondit quam audiat
stultum se esse demonstrat et confusione dignum
14 spiritus viri sustentat inbecillitatem suam
spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere
15 cor prudens possidebit scientiam
et auris sapientium quaerit doctrinam
16 donum hominis dilatat viam eius et ante principes spatium ei facit
17 iustus prior est accusator sui
venit amicus eius et investigavit eum
18 contradictiones conprimit sors et inter potentes quoque diiudicat
19 frater qui adiuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma
et iudicia quasi vectes urbium
20 de fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius
et genimina labiorum illius saturabunt
eum
21 mors et vita in manu linguae
qui diligunt eam comedent fructus eius
22 qui invenit mulierem invenit bonum
et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino
23 cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper
et dives effabitur rigide
24 vir amicalis ad societatem
magis amicus erit quam frater
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it , it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing , and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.