The Holy Scripture
Chapter VIII
Strive not with a mighty man, lest thou fall into his hands.
μὴ διαμάχου μετὰ ἀνθρώπου δυνάστου μήποτε ἐμπέσῃς εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ
Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.
μὴ ἔριζε μετὰ ἀνθρώπου πλουσίου μήποτε ἀντιστήσῃ σου τὴν ὁλκήν πολλοὺς γὰρ ἀπώλεσεν τὸ χρυσίον καὶ καρδίας βασιλέων ἐξέκλινεν
Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.
μὴ διαμάχου μετὰ ἀνθρώπου γλωσσώδους καὶ μὴ ἐπιστοιβάσῃς ἐπὶ τὸ πῦρ αὐτοῦ ξύλα
Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.
μὴ πρόσπαιζε ἀπαιδεύτῳ ἵνα μὴ ἀτιμάζωνται οἱ πρόγονοί σου
Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
μὴ ὀνείδιζε ἄνθρωπον ἀποστρέφοντα ἀπὸ ἁμαρτίας μνήσθητι ὅτι πάντες ἐσμὲν ἐν ἐπιτίμοις
Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.
μὴ ἀτιμάσῃς ἄνθρωπον ἐν γήρᾳ αὐτοῦ καὶ γὰρ ἐξ ἡμῶν γηράσκουσιν
Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.
μὴ ἐπίχαιρε ἐπὶ νεκρῷ μνήσθητι ὅτι πάντες τελευτῶμεν
Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.
μὴ παρίδῃς διήγημα σοφῶν καὶ ἐν ταῖς παροιμίαις αὐτῶν ἀναστρέφου ὅτι παρ᾿ αὐτῶν μαθήσῃ παιδείαν καὶ λειτουργῆσαι μεγιστᾶσιν
Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.
μὴ ἀστόχει διηγήματος γερόντων καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἔμαθον παρὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν ὅτι παρ᾿ αὐτῶν μαθήσῃ σύνεσιν καὶ ἐν καιρῷ χρείας δοῦναι ἀπόκρισιν
Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.
μὴ ἔκκαιε ἄνθρακας ἁμαρτωλοῦ μὴ ἐμπυρισθῇς ἐν πυρὶ φλογὸς αὐτοῦ
Rise not up [in anger] at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words.
μὴ ἐξαναστῇς ἀπὸ προσώπου ὑβριστοῦ ἵνα μὴ ἐγκαθίσῃ ὡς ἔνεδρον τῷ στόματί σου
Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.
μὴ δανείσῃς ἀνθρώπῳ ἰσχυροτέρῳ σου καὶ ἐὰν δανείσῃς ὡς ἀπολωλεκὼς γίνου
Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.
μὴ ἐγγυήσῃ ὑπὲρ δύναμίν σου καὶ ἐὰν ἐγγυήσῃ ὡς ἀποτείσων φρόντιζε
Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.
μὴ δικάζου μετὰ κριτοῦ κατὰ γὰρ τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ κρινοῦσιν αὐτῷ
Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.
μετὰ τολμηροῦ μὴ πορεύου ἐν ὁδῷ ἵνα μὴ βαρύνηται κατὰ σοῦ αὐτὸς γὰρ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιήσει καὶ τῇ ἀφροσύνῃ αὐτοῦ συναπολῇ
Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight; and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.
μετὰ θυμώδους μὴ ποιήσῃς μάχην καὶ μὴ διαπορεύου μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὴν ἔρημον ὅτι ὡς οὐδὲν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ αἷμα καὶ ὅπου οὐκ ἔστιν βοήθεια καταβαλεῖ σε
Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.
μετὰ μωροῦ μὴ συμβουλεύου οὐ γὰρ δυνήσεται λόγον στέξαι
Do no secret thing before a stranger: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
ἐνώπιον ἀλλοτρίου μὴ ποιήσῃς κρυπτόν οὐ γὰρ γινώσκεις τί τέξεται
Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.
παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ μὴ ἔκφαινε σὴν καρδίαν καὶ μὴ ἀναφερέτω σοι χάριν