Proverbia 18

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico : omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.	1 In estrangement one seeks pretexts: with all persistence he picks a quarrel.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ, nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde ejus.	2 The fool takes no delight in understanding, but rather in displaying what he thinks.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit ; sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.	3 With wickedness comes contempt, and with disgrace comes scorn.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri, et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.	4 The words from a man's mouth are deep waters, but the source of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate judicii.	5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty, and so to reject a rightful claim.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis, et os ejus jurgia provocat.	6 The fool's lips lead him into strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.
7 Os stulti contritio ejus, et labia ipsius ruina animæ ejus.	7 The fool's mouth is his ruin; his lips are a snare to his life.
8 Verba bilinguis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum dejicit timor ; animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.	8 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo frater est sua opera dissipantis.	9 The man who is slack in his work is own brother to the man who is destructive.
10 Turris fortissima nomen Domini ; ad ipsum currit justus, et exaltabitur.	10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the just man runs to it and is safe.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris ejus, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.	11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; he fancies it a high wall.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis, et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.	12 Before his downfall a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.	13 He who answers before he hears-- his is the folly and the shame.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam ; spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere ?	14 A man's spirit sustains him in infirmity-- but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam, et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.	15 The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam ejus, et ante principes spatium ei facit.	16 A man's gift clears the way for him, and gains him access to great men.
17 Justus prior est accusator sui : venit amicus ejus, et investigabit eum.	17 The man who pleads his case first seems to be in the right; then his opponent comes and puts him to the test.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque dijudicat.	18 The lot puts an end to disputes, and is decisive in a controversy between the mighty.
19 Frater qui adjuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma, et judicia quasi vectes urbium.	19 A brother is a better defense than a strong city, and a friend is like the bars of a castle.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter ejus, et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.	20 From the fruit of his mouth a man has his fill; with the yield of his lips he sates himself.
21 Mors et vita in manu linguæ ; qui diligunt eam comedent fructus ejus.	21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who make it a friend shall eat its fruit.
22 Qui invenit mulierem bonam invenit bonum, et hauriet jucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam expellit bonum ; qui autem tenet adulteram stultus est et impius.	22 He who finds a wife finds happiness; it is a favor he receives from the LORD.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper, et dives effabitur rigide.	23 The poor man implores, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 Vir amabilis ad societatem magis amicus erit quam frater.	24 Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.