Non litiges cum homine potente, ne forte incidas in manus illius.

Strive not with a powerful man, lest thou fall into his hands.

If quarrel thou hast, let it not be with a prince, that may attach thy person;

Non contendas cum viro locuplete, ne forte contra te constituat litem tibi:

Contend not with a rich man, lest he bring an action against thee.

nor with a rich man, that may implead thee,

multos enim perdidit aurum et argentum, et usque ad cor regum extendit et convertit.

For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them.

with all the power there is in silver and gold to corrupt men, and sway even the hearts of kings;

Non litiges cum homine linguato, et non strues in ignem illius ligna.

Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.

nor with a glib talker; thou dost but add fuel to his fire.

Non communices homini indocto, ne male de progenie tua loquatur.

Communicate not with an ignorant man, lest he speak ill of thy family.

Be not familiar with a boor; thou wilt hear no good of thy ancestry.

Ne despicias hominem avertentem se a peccato, neque improperes ei: memento quoniam omnes in correptione sumus.

Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof.

Scorn not the sinner that would amend his ways; reproach comes amiss, where all stand in need of correction.

Ne spernas hominem in sua senectute, etenim ex nobis senescunt.

Despise not a man in his old age; for we also shall become old.

Nor fail in respect for the aged; it is of our stuff grey hairs are made.

Noli de mortuo inimico tuo gaudere: sciens quoniam omnes morimur, et in gaudium nolumus venire.

Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy; knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death.

Rejoice not over thy neighbour’s death; we all die, and would not have men rejoice over it.

Ne despicias narrationem presbyterorum sapientium, et in proverbiis eorum conversare:

Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs.

Do not be contemptuous of what older and wiser men have to tell thee; by their lore live thou,

ab ipsis enim disces sapientiam et doctrinam intellectus, et servire magnatis sine querela.

For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame.

if wise thou wouldst be, and have the secret of discernment, and live contentedly in the service of the great.

Non te prætereat narratio seniorum, ipsi enim didicerunt a patribus suis:

Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers:

Do not let them pass thee by, these traditions older men have inherited from their fathers;

quoniam ab ipsis disces intellectum, et in tempore necessitatis dare responsum.

For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need.

they will turn thee into a man of judgement, that answer can make when answer is needed.

Non incendas carbones peccatorum arguens eos, et ne incendaris flamma ignis peccatorum illorum.

Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins.

Wouldst thou remonstrate with a sinner? Make sure thou art not fanning the flame of his passions, thyself in peril of a scorching.

Ne contra faciem stes contumeliosi, ne sedeat quasi insidiator ori tuo.

Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words.

Wouldst thou make reply to the railing accuser? Make sure he is not baiting a trap to ensnare thee.

Noli fœnerari homini fortiori te: quod si fœneraveris, quasi perditum habe.

Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself: and if thou lendest, count it as lost.

Lend to one who can master thee? Then lent is lost.

Non spondeas super virtutem tuam: quod si spoponderis, quasi restituens cogita.

Be not surety above thy power: and if thou be surety, think as if thou wert to pay it.

Pledge not thyself beyond thy means; count ever thy pledge forfeit.

Non judices contra judicem, quoniam secundum quod justum est judicat.

Judge not against a judge: for he judgeth according to that which is just.

Dispute not a judge’s award; who judges by right rule if not he?

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.

Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly.

Travel not with a rash companion, if thou wouldst not shoulder all his misfortune; he will go his own way, and thou share the reward of his folly.

Cum iracundo non facias rixam, et cum audace non eas in desertum: quoniam quasi nihil est ante illum sanguis, et ubi non est adjutorium, elidet te.

Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee.

Quarrel not with a man of quick moods; on a desert road he is no companion for thee; he cares nothing for bloodshed, and will lay thee in the dust when none is by to aid thee.

Cum fatuis consilium non habeas: non enim poterunt diligere nisi quæ eis placent.

Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them.

Take not counsel with a fool; he knows none but his own way of it.

Coram extraneo ne facias consilium: nescis enim quid pariet.

Before a stranger do no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.

Share not thy secret plans with a stranger; thou knowest not what trouble he may breed.

Non omni homini cor tuum manifestes, ne forte inferat tibi gratiam falsam, et convicietur tibi.

Open not thy heart to every man: lest he repay thee with an evil turn, and speak reproachfully to thee.

Never open to any man thy whole heart; an ill requital he may make, by bringing shame on thee.