The Latin Vulgate VUL
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 muscae morientes perdunt suavitatem unguenti pretiosior est sapientia et gloria parva ad tempus stultitia
1
Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off an evil odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 cor sapientis in dextera eius et cor stulti in sinistra illius
2
A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left.
3 sed et in via stultus ambulans cum ipse insipiens sit omnes stultos aestimat
3
Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to every one that he is a fool.
4 si spiritus potestatem habentis ascenderit super te locum tuum ne dimiseris quia curatio cessare faciet peccata maxima
4
If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for deference will make amends for great offenses.
5 est malum quod vidi sub sole quasi per errorem egrediens a facie principis
5
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
6 positum stultum in dignitate sublimi et divites sedere deorsum
6
folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
7 vidi servos in equis et principes ambulantes quasi servos super terram
7
I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on foot like slaves.
8 qui fodit foveam incidet in eam et qui dissipat sepem mordebit eum coluber
8
He who digs a pit will fall into it; and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 qui transfert lapides adfligetur in eis et qui scindit ligna vulnerabitur ab eis
9
He who quarries stones is hurt by them; and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10 si retunsum fuerit ferrum et hoc non ut prius sed hebetatum erit multo labore exacuatur et post industriam sequitur sapientia
10
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11 si mordeat serpens in silentio nihil eo minus habet qui occulte detrahit
11
If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.
12 verba oris sapientis gratia et labia insipientis praecipitabunt eum
12
The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 initium verborum eius stultitia et novissimum oris illius error pessimus
13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.
14 stultus verba multiplicat ignorat homo quid ante se fuerit et quod post futurum est quis illi poterit indicare
14
A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?
15 labor stultorum adfliget eos qui nesciunt in urbem pergere
15
The toil of a fool wearies him, so that he does not know the way to the city.
16 vae tibi terra cuius rex est puer et cuius principes mane comedunt
16
Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!
17 beata terra cuius rex nobilis est et cuius principes vescuntur in tempore suo ad reficiendum et non ad luxuriam
17
Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of free men, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 in pigritiis humiliabitur contignatio et in infirmitate manuum perstillabit domus
18
Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
19 in risu faciunt panem ac vinum ut epulentur viventes et pecuniae oboedient omnia
19
Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.
20 in cogitatione tua regi ne detrahas et in secreto cubiculi tui ne maledixeris diviti quia avis caeli portabit vocem tuam et qui habet pinnas adnuntiabit sententiam
20
Even in your thought, do not curse the king, nor in your bedchamber curse the rich; for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.