Proverbs 12 in the early church

47 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 12, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 18 · 20 · 22 · 23 · 28

Proverbs 12:4

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:4Sentences of Sextus 237 · Anonymousecho, medium confidence2nd-early 3rd cent.
Prov 12:4Sentence 237 (Greek) · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence2nd-early 3rd cent.
Prov 12:4The Instructor 2.8.71 · Clement of Alexandriaecho, medium confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 12:4The Instructor 3.11.67 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 12:4Apostolic Constitutions 1.8.9 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 12:4Poem 24, lines 665–696 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 393–431
Prov 12:4Letters 13.5 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413
Prov 12:4Letters 44.4 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413

Proverbs 12:5

The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:5PG 12:1605 (Ps 118 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 12:5Oration III Against the Arians 59 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 339–346
Prov 12:5To the Bishops of Egypt 9 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 356
Prov 12:5Homilies 12.10 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 363-378
Prov 12:5Exposition of Psalm 118 14.18.2 · Ambrosequotation, low confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 12:5The Conferences 1.19 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 12:6

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:6Oration III Against the Arians 59 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 339–346
Prov 12:6To the Bishops of Egypt 9 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 356

Proverbs 12:7

The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:7On the Opinion of Dionysius 21 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 350–356

Proverbs 12:9

Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:9The Conferences 24.13 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 12:10

A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:10History of the Arians 60 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 357
Prov 12:10The Conferences 11.10 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 12:11

The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:11PG 12:1207 (Ps 13–14 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 12:11Letter 129.2 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 12:11Apostolic Constitutions 2.63.5 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 12:11Homily 3 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, medium confidenceca. 379–394
Prov 12:11Hexameron (Exameron) 6.51 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-390
Prov 12:11The Conferences 7.6 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 12:13

An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:13Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 401–402

Proverbs 12:14

By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:14Liber Orsiesii 51 · Orsiesiusquotation, high confidenceca. 380-390

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:15On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361

Proverbs 12:16

A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:16To Quirinus 3.8 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Prov 12:16Explanation of Twelve Psalms 45.4.4 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
Prov 12:16Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 401–402
Prov 12:16The Conferences 16.27 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 12:18

Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:18Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 35 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Prov 12:18Letter 1.5 · Antony the Greatquotation, high confidencebefore 356
Prov 12:18Explanation of Twelve Psalms 35.10.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397

Proverbs 12:20

Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:20On the Decrees of Nicaea 20 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 350–356
Prov 12:20Homilies on the Psalms 14.1 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378

Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:22To Quirinus 3.104 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Prov 12:22Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 401–402

Proverbs 12:23

A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:23Homilies 12.11 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, medium confidenceca. 363-378
Prov 12:23Exposition of Psalm 118 2.26.2 · Ambroseallusion, low confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 12:23Hexameron (Exameron) 3.56 · Ambroseallusion, low confidenceca. 387-390

Proverbs 12:28

There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 12:28Apostolic Constitutions 2.53.2 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 12:28Apostolic Constitutions 7.4.1 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 12:28Homilies on Matthew 79.4 · John Chrysostomquotation, medium confidenceca. 390
Prov 12:28The Institutes 8.15 · John Cassianquotation, medium confidenceca. 419–426