Melius est nomen bonum quam divitiæ multæ; super argentum et aurum gratia bona.

A GOOD name is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and gold.

Precious beyond all treasure is good repute; not gold or silver is so worth the winning, as to be loved.

Dives et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.

The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.

Rich and poor dwell ever side by side, God’s creatures both of them.

Callidus vidit malum, et abscondit se; innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.

The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.

When ill times come, prudence is on its guard, and takes refuge; the unwary march on, and pay the penalty.

Finis modestiæ timor Domini, divitiæ, et gloria, et vita.

The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.

Humility brings fear of the Lord, and therewith riches, honour and long life.

Arma et gladii in via perversi; custos autem animæ suæ longe recedit ab eis.

Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul departeth far from them.

Stake and caltrop beset the path of the wicked; as thou lovest life, keep thy distance.

Proverbium est: adolescens juxta viam suam; etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.

It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

There is a proverb; a boy will keep the course he has begun; even when he grows old, he will not leave it.

Dives pauperibus imperat, et qui accipit mutuum servus est fœnerantis.

The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.

Rich rules poor, debtor must wait on creditor.

Qui seminat iniquitatem metet mala, et virga iræ suæ consummabitur.

He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.

Who sows mischief, reaps a sorry crop; ere long, the flail of his malice will have done its work.

Qui pronus est ad misericordiam benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera; animam autem aufert accipientium.

He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.

For every loaf of bread given to the hungry, blessing shall be the reward of kindly hearts. (A renowned victory he wins, that is a bestower of gifts, and living men are the spoils of it. )

Ejice derisorem, et exibit cum eo jurgium, cessabuntque causæ et contumeliæ.

Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.

Banish the reckless spirit, and strife goes out with him; thou art rid of quarrelling and of disgrace.

Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.

He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.

Love purity of heart, and thou shalt find such gracious words as shall win thee a king’s friendship.

Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam, et supplantantur verba iniqui.

The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.

True knowledge has the Lord’s smile for its protection; the schemer’s cause he will overthrow.

Dicit piger: Leo est foris; in medio platearum occidendus sum.

The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets.

Out? says Sloth; why, there is a lion without; wouldst thou have me slain in the open street?

Fovea profunda os alienæ: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.

The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.

Like a deep pit is the flattery of wanton wife; they only are ensnared, whom the Lord loves little.

Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinæ fugabit eam.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.

Boyhood’s mind is loaded with a pack of folly, that needs the rod of correction to shift it.

Qui calumniatur pauperem ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.

He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.

Oppress the poor for thy enrichment, and ere long a richer man’s claim shall impoverish thee.

Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam,

Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:

Wouldst thou but give heed, and listen to wise counsels, take these my warnings to heart!

quæ pulchra erit tibi cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:

Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:

Digest them well, and they shall bring back a sweet taste to thy lips;

ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.

That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.

to fill thy own heart too with confidence in the Lord, is the sum of my present teaching.

Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:

Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge:

Not once nor twice have I warned thee and instructed thee,

ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis qui miserunt te.

That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.

so as to ground thee in true doctrine, and send thee home supplied with ready answers concerning it.

Non facias violentiam pauperi quia pauper est, neque conteras egenum in porta:

Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:

Never oppress the poor; his poverty protects him; never bear hard on the friendless at law;

quia judicabit Dominus causam ejus, et configet eos qui confixerunt animam ejus.

Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.

be sure the Lord will grant them redress, and claim life for life.

Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:

Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:

Never let a quarreller, a man of angry moods, be thy friend; go thy way, and let him go his;

ne forte discas semitas ejus, et sumas scandalum animæ tuæ.

Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.

ill habits are soon learned, to the sudden peril of thy life.

Noli esse cum his qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:

Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:

Leave it to others to engage themselves, and go bail for their neighbour’s debts;

si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causæ est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?

For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?

for thyself, thou hast no means of payment; wouldst thou see the clothes stripped from thy bed?

Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.

Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.

Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.

Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.

Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.

Mark me the man whose task is deftly done; he is for the court, no common service shall be his.