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

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

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

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

nor with a rich man, that may implead thee,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

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

Coram extraneo ne facias consilium: nescis enim quid pariet.

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

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

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

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

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