1 non litiges cum homine potente ne forte incidas in manus illius
2 non contendas cum viro locuplete
ne forte contra consistat litem tibi
3 multos perdidit aurum atque argentum
et usque cor regum extendit et convertit
4 non litiges cum homine linguato
et non strues in igne illius ligna
5 non communices homini indocto
ne male de progenie tua loquatur
6 ne despicias hominem avertentem se a peccato neque inproperes ei
memento quoniam omnes sumus in correptionem
7 ne spernas hominem in sua senecta
etenim ex nobis senescunt
8 noli de mortuo gaudere
sciens quoniam omnes morimur et in gaudium nolumus venire
9 ne despicias narrationem presbyterorum sapientium
et in proverbiis illorum conversare
10 ab ipsis enim disces doctrinam intellectus
et servire magnatis sine querella
11 non te praetereat narratio seniorum
et ipsi enim didicerunt a patribus suis
12 quoniam ab ipsis disces intellectum
et in tempore necessitatis
responsum
13 non incendas carbones peccatoris arguens eos
ne incendaris flamma ignis peccatorum illorum
14 ne contra faciem stes contumeliosi
ne sedeat quasi insidiator ori tuo
15 noli fenerare homini fortiori te
quod si feneraveris tamquam perditum habe
16 non spondeas super virtutem tuam
quod si spoponderis quasi restituens cogita
17 non iudices contra iudicem
quoniam secundum quod dignum est iudicat
18 cum audace non eas in via ne forte gravet mala sua in te
ipse enim secundum voluntatem suam vadit
et simul cum stultitia illius peries
19 cum iracundo non facias rixam
cum audace non eas in desertum
quoniam quasi nihil est ante illum sanguis
et ubi non est adiutorium elidet te
20 cum fatuis ne consilium habeas
non enim poterunt diligere nisi quae ipsis placent
21 coram extraneo ne facias consilium nescis enim quid pariet
22 non omni homini cor tuum manifestes
ne forte inferat tibi gratiam et convicietur tibi
1 Strive not with a mighty man’ lest thou fall into his hands.
2 Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.
3 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.
4 Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.
5 Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
6 Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.
7 Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.
8 Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.
9 Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.
10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.
11 Rise not up in anger at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words
12 Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.
13 Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.
14 Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.
15 Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.
16 Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.
17 Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.
18 Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
19 Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.