Proverbs 16 in the early church

87 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 16, 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 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33

Proverbs 16:1

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:1Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 2.19 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 420–421
Prov 16:1Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 2.20 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 420–421

Proverbs 16:4

The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:4The Conferences 11.6 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 16:5

Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:5Exposition of Psalm 118 7.14.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 16:5Exposition of Psalm 118 15.31.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 16:5Homilies on Matthew 65.6 · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 390
Prov 16:5Against Jovinianus 2.3 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393
Prov 16:5Letters 29.3 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Prov 16:5Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 401–402
Prov 16:5The Institutes 12.6 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 419–426
Prov 16:5The Institutes 12.21 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 419–426

Proverbs 16:6

By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:6 (15:27 LXX)Miscellanies 2.15.71 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 16:6PG 12:1243 (Ps 18 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:6PG 12:1245 (Ps 18–19 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:6PG 12:1313 (Ps 34–35 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:6To Quirinus 3.1 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, medium confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Prov 16:6 (15:27 Vulg.)On Works and Almsgiving 2 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 253
Prov 16:6 (15:27 LXX)Oration 14.36 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 16:6Apostolic Constitutions 7.12.2 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 16:6The Conferences 20.8 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 16:7

When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:7Fragments on Proverbs, column 155 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:7Fragments on Proverbs, column 193 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:7Commentary on John 1.91 · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 16:7Commentary on John 1.94 · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 16:7On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, medium confidenceca. 356–361
Prov 16:7Against Eunomius 2.14 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, medium confidenceca. 364
Prov 16:7Hexaemeron 1.5 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, medium confidenceca. 370
Prov 16:7Homilies 16.1 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, low confidenceca. 363-378

Proverbs 16:8

Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:8Miscellanies 2.18.91 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 16:8Letter 121 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 360–390

Proverbs 16:9

A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:9On Jealousy and Envy 17 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, medium confidenceca. 256

Proverbs 16:11

Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:11Homily 5, part 5.1 · Asterius of Amaseaallusion, medium confidenceca. 380-410

Proverbs 16:12

Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:12Fragments on Proverbs, column 155 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 16:13

Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:13Defence before Constantius 12 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 353–357
Prov 16:13Defence before Constantius 27 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, low confidenceca. 353–357
Prov 16:13Defence before Constantius 35 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 353–357

Proverbs 16:14

The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:14Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 16:15

When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:15Prophetic Extracts 3.2 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:16Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:16Hexameron (Exameron) 5.56 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390

Proverbs 16:17

The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:17Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:18Oration 4.32 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 16:18Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 401–402
Prov 16:18The Conferences 6.17 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 16:19

It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:19Demonstration 9.1 · Aphrahatquotation, medium confidence337-345

Proverbs 16:22

Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:22Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:22Homilies on the First Epistle of John 6.11 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 407

Proverbs 16:23

The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:23Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:23Commentary on John 6.21 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 16:23Commentary on John 6.25 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 16:23Commentary on John 13.316 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 16:23Commentary on John 28.174 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 16:23Commentary on Matthew 12.41 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Prov 16:23Commentary on Romans 2.13 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Prov 16:23Commentary on Romans 10.43 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:24Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:24Fragments on Proverbs, column 177 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:24Exposition of Psalm 118 13.23.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 16:24Letters 11.1 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413
Prov 16:24Part 2, chapter 22 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Proverbs 16:25

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:25Letter 11 · Ammonasquotation, medium confidenceca. 340-360
Prov 16:25Exposition of Psalm 118 8.34.1 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-397

Proverbs 16:26

A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:26Against Jovinianus 2.16 · Jeromequotation, medium confidence393
Prov 16:26The Conferences 7.6 · John Cassianquotation, medium confidenceca. 426–429
Prov 16:26The Conferences 12.5 · John Cassianquotation, medium confidenceca. 426–429
Prov 16:26The Conferences 24.26 · John Cassianquotation, medium confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 16:27

A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:27Letter 59.20 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, medium confidence249/250–258

Proverbs 16:28

A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:28Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 16:29

A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:29Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 16:30

He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:30Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 16:30Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 16:31

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:31Commentary on John 20.79 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 16:31Oration 16.3 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 16:31Oration 18.2 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 16:31Oration 40.17 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383

Proverbs 16:32

He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:32To Quirinus 3.8 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Prov 16:32Divine Institutes 6.18.31 · Lactantiusecho, medium confidenceca. 303–311
Prov 16:32Demonstration 9.1 · Aphrahatallusion, medium confidence337-345
Prov 16:32On the Duties of the Clergy 1.21 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390
Prov 16:32Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.6.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Prov 16:32On the Catholic Way of Life and the Manichaean Way of Life 1.23 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 387–389
Prov 16:32Sermon 315.10 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Prov 16:32Against Faustus the Manichaean 19.28 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Prov 16:32Against the Letter of Parmenian 1.8 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 400
Prov 16:32The Conferences 12.6 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
Prov 16:32The Conferences 18.13 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 16:33

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 16:33Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254