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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:1 | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 2.19 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420–421 |
| Prov 16:1 | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 2.20 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420–421 |
Proverbs 16:4
The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:4 | The Conferences 11.6 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 16:5
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:5 | Exposition of Psalm 118 7.14.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 16:5 | Exposition of Psalm 118 15.31.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 16:5 | Homilies on Matthew 65.6 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Prov 16:5 | Against Jovinianus 2.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
| Prov 16:5 | Letters 29.3 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 16:5 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
| Prov 16:5 | The Institutes 12.6 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–426 |
| Prov 16:5 | The Institutes 12.21 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:6 (15:27 LXX) | Miscellanies 2.15.71 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 16:6 | PG 12:1243 (Ps 18 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:6 | PG 12:1245 (Ps 18–19 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:6 | PG 12:1313 (Ps 34–35 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:6 | To Quirinus 3.1 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Prov 16:6 (15:27 Vulg.) | On Works and Almsgiving 2 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 253 |
| Prov 16:6 (15:27 LXX) | Oration 14.36 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 16:6 | Apostolic Constitutions 7.12.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 16:6 | The Conferences 20.8 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:7 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 155 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:7 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 193 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:7 | Commentary on John 1.91 · Origen | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 16:7 | Commentary on John 1.94 · Origen | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 16:7 | On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Prov 16:7 | Against Eunomius 2.14 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 364 |
| Prov 16:7 | Hexaemeron 1.5 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 370 |
| Prov 16:7 | Homilies 16.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, low confidence | ca. 363-378 |
Proverbs 16:8
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:8 | Miscellanies 2.18.91 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 16:8 | Letter 121 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 360–390 |
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:9 | On Jealousy and Envy 17 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 256 |
Proverbs 16:11
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:11 | Homily 5, part 5.1 · Asterius of Amasea | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380-410 |
Proverbs 16:12
Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:12 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 155 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 16:13
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:13 | Defence before Constantius 12 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 353–357 |
| Prov 16:13 | Defence before Constantius 27 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, low confidence | ca. 353–357 |
| Prov 16:13 | Defence before Constantius 35 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 353–357 |
Proverbs 16:14
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:14 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 16:15
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:15 | Prophetic Extracts 3.2 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
Proverbs 16:16
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:16 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:16 | Hexameron (Exameron) 5.56 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-390 |
Proverbs 16:17
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:17 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:18 | Oration 4.32 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 16:18 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
| Prov 16:18 | The Conferences 6.17 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 16:19
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:19 | Demonstration 9.1 · Aphrahat | quotation, medium confidence | 337-345 |
Proverbs 16:22
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:22 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:22 | Homilies on the First Epistle of John 6.11 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 407 |
Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:23 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:23 | Commentary on John 6.21 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 16:23 | Commentary on John 6.25 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 16:23 | Commentary on John 13.316 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 16:23 | Commentary on John 28.174 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 16:23 | Commentary on Matthew 12.41 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Prov 16:23 | Commentary on Romans 2.13 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Prov 16:23 | Commentary on Romans 10.43 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:24 | Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:24 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 177 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:24 | Exposition of Psalm 118 13.23.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 16:24 | Letters 11.1 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 16:24 | Part 2, chapter 22 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 445-450 |
Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:25 | Letter 11 · Ammonas | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Prov 16:25 | Exposition of Psalm 118 8.34.1 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386-397 |
Proverbs 16:26
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:26 | Against Jovinianus 2.16 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | 393 |
| Prov 16:26 | The Conferences 7.6 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Prov 16:26 | The Conferences 12.5 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Prov 16:26 | The Conferences 24.26 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 16:27
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:27 | Letter 59.20 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, medium confidence | 249/250–258 |
Proverbs 16:28
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:28 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 16:29
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:29 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 16:30
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:30 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 195 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 16:30 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 16:31
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:31 | Commentary on John 20.79 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 16:31 | Oration 16.3 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 16:31 | Oration 18.2 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 16:31 | Oration 40.17 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 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.
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:33 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |