Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| There is a reproof that is not becoming, and there is a man who keeps silent, and he too is wise.
2| How much better to reprove than to fume with anger, and the one who admits his fault will be spared humiliation.
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4| Like a eunuch's desire to deflower a young girl, so is the man who does justice by violence.
5| There is a man who keeps silent and is found wise, and there is a man hated for much talking.
6| There is a man who keeps silent because he has no answer, and there is a man who keeps silent, knowing the right time.
7| A wise man will keep silence until the right time, but the reckless boaster and the fool overstep the right time.
8| The one who multiplies words will be loathed, and the one who arrogates authority to himself will be hated.
9| There is a good turn of fortune for a man in misfortunes, and there is a gain that turns into loss.
10| There is a gift that will bring you no profit, and there is a gift whose return is double.
11| There is a demotion for the sake of glory, and there is a man who has lifted up his head from a lowly state.
12| There is a man who buys much for little and pays for it sevenfold.
13| The wise man in his words will make himself beloved, but the graces of fools are poured out in vain.
14| A gift from a fool will bring you no profit, for his eyes look for many in return for one;
15| little he will give, and much he will reproach for, and he will open his mouth like a town crier; today he will lend, and tomorrow he will demand it back — such a man is hateful.
16| The fool will say, "I have no friend, and there is no thanks for my good deeds"; those who eat my bread are base of tongue.
17| How often, and how many, will laugh him to scorn!
18| A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue; ruin overtakes the wicked man just as quickly.
19| A graceless man is a story told out of season; it will be forever on the lips of the undisciplined.
20| A proverb from the mouth of a fool will be rejected, for he will never speak it at its proper time.
21| There is a man kept back from sinning by poverty, and in his rest he will feel no sting of conscience.
22| There is a man who destroys his own life out of shame, and by a foolish regard for appearances he destroys it.
23| There is a man who out of shame makes promises to a friend, and gains him as an enemy for nothing.
24| A lie is an evil blemish in a man; it will be forever on the lips of the undisciplined.
25| A thief is preferable to a habitual liar, but both will inherit ruin.
26| The character of a lying man is dishonor, and his shame is with him continually. Words of proverbs.
27| The wise man in his words will advance himself, and a sensible man will please the great;
28| the one who works the land will raise up his own heap of grain, and the one who pleases the great will make atonement for injustice.
29| Gifts and presents blind the eyes of the wise, and like a muzzle on the mouth turn away reproofs.
30| Hidden wisdom and buried treasure — what profit is there in either?
31| Better is the man who hides his folly than the man who hides his wisdom.