Proverbs 14 in the early church
78 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 14, 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: 1 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 12 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 21 · 23 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 33
Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:1 | Cib. 13 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 14:1 | Letter 69.5 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 14:1 | Apostolic Constitutions 1.8.9 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
Proverbs 14:3
The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:3 | The Instructor 2.7.53 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 14:3 | On the Duties of the Clergy 3.4 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Prov 14:3 | Apology against Rufinus 3.1 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 401–402 |
Proverbs 14:4
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:4 | Letters 20.5 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 14:4 | Letters 32.25 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
Proverbs 14:5
An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:5 | Apostolic Constitutions 5.9.1 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 14:5 | Tractates on Matthew 10.2 · Chromatius of Aquileia | quotation, high confidence | ca. 388–407 |
Proverbs 14:6
A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:6 | Miscellanies 1.10.47 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 14:6 | Homilies 12.5 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 14:6 | The Conferences 7.18 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 14:7
Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:7 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 193 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 14:7 | The Conferences 6.9 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:8 | Miscellanies 2.19.101 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
Proverbs 14:9
Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:9 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 193 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 14:9 | Opinions of the Bishops 7 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, medium confidence | 1 September 256 |
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:12 | Didascalia 6.14 (Latin) · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | first half of the third century |
| Prov 14:12 | On the Singleness of Clerics 19 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 14:12 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 33 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Prov 14:12 | Letter 11 · Ammonas | quotation, high confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Prov 14:12 | Letter 11.4 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 14:12 | Apostolic Constitutions 6.18.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 14:12 | Exposition of Psalm 118 8.34.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 14:12 | Letters 34.9 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 14:12 | The Conferences 1.20 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Prov 14:12 | The Conferences 20.9 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 14:14
The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:14 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 193 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 14:15
The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:15 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 153 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 14:15 | To the Bishops of Egypt 4 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356 |
| Prov 14:15 | Homilies on the Psalms 7.6 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Prov 14:15 | Homilies 12.12 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 14:15 | On the Christian Faith 3.16 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Prov 14:15 | On the Duties of the Clergy 3.10 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Prov 14:15 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 61.21.2 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Proverbs 14:16
A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:16 | Miscellanies 2.8.40 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 14:16 | On the Singleness of Clerics 3 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 14:16 | Oration II Against the Arians 79 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 339–346 |
| Prov 14:16 | On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Prov 14:16–17 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
Proverbs 14:17
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:17 | The Institutes 8.1 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–426 |
Proverbs 14:21
He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:21 | Miscellanies 2.18.86 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
Proverbs 14:23
There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:23 | Miscellanies 2.18.91 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 14:23 | The Conferences 7.6 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Prov 14:23 | The Conferences 14.17 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Prov 14:23 | The Conferences 24.26 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 14:25
A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:25 | To Quirinus 3.16 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
Proverbs 14:26
He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:26 | Miscellanies 2.8.40 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 14:26 | Sermon 65.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 14:26 | Sermon 348.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:27 | Miscellanies 2.18.88 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
Proverbs 14:28
A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:28 | On Proverbs, fragment 38 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 14:28 | Letter 128.5 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 14:28 | Book of Rules 7 · Tyconius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 14:28 | Against the Letter of Parmenian 1.21 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 400 |
| Prov 14:28 | Against the Letter of Parmenian 2.38 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 400 |
Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:29 | Exhortation to Martyrdom 43 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | 235 |
| Prov 14:29 | Long recension, Hero 5 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | later 4th century (probable) |
| Prov 14:29 | Letter 108.18 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 14:29 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.40.3 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 14:29 | Apostolic Constitutions 7.8.1 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 14:29 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
| Prov 14:29 | The Conferences 16.27 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Prov 14:29 | The Conferences 18.13 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 14:30
A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:30 | Oration 2.38 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 14:30 | Oration 43.42 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 14:30 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.7.4 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 14:30 | The Conferences 12.6 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 14:31
Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:31 | On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Prov 14:31 | Letter 51 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| Prov 14:31 | Oration 14.36 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 14:31 | Apostolic Constitutions 7.3.5 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 14:31 | Letters 34.1 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 14:31 | Letters 34.6 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 14:31 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
Proverbs 14:33
Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:33 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.38.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 14:33 | The Conferences 14.16 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |