Proverbs 20 in the early church
136 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 20, 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 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 12 · 13 · 17 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28
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Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:1 | The Instructor 2.2.29 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 20:1 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 209 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:1 | Homilies 14.5 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 20:1 | On the Duties of the Clergy 2.21 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Prov 20:1 | Against Jovinianus 2.10 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:2 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 209 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:2 | On Saint Athanasius 1.27 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Prov 20:2 | Second Apology of David 9 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
Proverbs 20:4
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:4 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 209 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 20:5
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:5 | Homilies on Numbers 27.12 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 20:5 | On the Duties of the Clergy 3.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Prov 20:5 | Exposition of Psalm 118 10.47.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 20:5 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 45.4.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Proverbs 20:6
Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:6 | Commentary on Matthew 14.10 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Prov 20:6 | Catechetical Lecture 5.2 · Cyril of Jerusalem | quotation, high confidence | ca. 350 |
| Prov 20:6 | Homilies on the Psalms 48.8 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Prov 20:6 | Homilies on the Psalms 48.10 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Prov 20:6 | Tractates on the Psalms 118.10.2 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Prov 20:6 | Exposition of Psalm 118 10.7.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 20:6 | Exposition of Psalm 118 10.10.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 20:6 | Homilies on Matthew 52.5 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Prov 20:6 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 61.21.1 · Ambrose | allusion, low confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Proverbs 20:7
The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:7 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 209 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:7 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 211 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:7 | To Quirinus 3.1 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Prov 20:7 | On Works and Almsgiving 19 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 253 |
Proverbs 20:8
A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
Proverbs 20:10
Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:10 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 211 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:10 | Apology for Origen 0 · Pamphilus of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 308–310 (Rufinus's Latin about 397) |
| Prov 20:10 | Oration II Against the Arians 4 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 339–346 |
| Prov 20:10 | Oration 16.19 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 20:10 | Homilies 12.8 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 20:10 | On the Duties of the Clergy 3.9 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Prov 20:10 | The Conferences 21.22 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 20:12
Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:12 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 211 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 20:13
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:13 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 211 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:13 | Commentary on John 10.304 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 20:13 | To Quirinus 3.107 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Prov 20:13 | Defence before Constantius 21 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 353–357 |
| Prov 20:13 | Letter 148.16 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 20:13 | Apostolic Constitutions 7.4.1 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 20:13 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
| Prov 20:13 | The Institutes 5.22 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–426 |
| Prov 20:13 | The Conferences 5.16 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Prov 20:13 | On the Governance of God 3.34 · Salvian of Marseilles | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 439-451 |
Proverbs 20:17
Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:17 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:17 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
| Prov 20:17 | The Conferences 17.19 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 20:20
Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:20 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 211 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 20:21
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:21 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 211 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:22 | Didascalia 1.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | first half of the third century |
| Prov 20:22 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 211 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:22 | To Quirinus 3.106 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Prov 20:22 | To Demetrian 17 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | 252–253 |
| Prov 20:22 | Apostolic Constitutions 1.2.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 20:22 | On the Faith against the Manichaeans 39 · Evodius of Uzalis | allusion, low confidence | ca. 400-424 |
Proverbs 20:23
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:23 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 213 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:23 | Homilies 12.8 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 20:23 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 48.6.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 20:23 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 61.31.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 20:23 | On Baptism, against the Donatists 2.9 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 400–401 |
| Prov 20:23 | The Conferences 21.22 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 20:24
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:24 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 153 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:24 | Letter 71.7 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 20:24 | Letter 133.7 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 20:24 | Exposition of Psalm 118 17.14.2 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 20:24 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.43.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 20:24 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.57.1 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 20:24 | On the Predestination of the Saints 20 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 428/429 |
| Prov 20:24 | Chapter 9 · Prosper of Aquitaine | quotation, high confidence | ca. 432-433 |
| Prov 20:24 | Book 1, chapter 24 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 440-450 |
Proverbs 20:25
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:25 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 213 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:25 | On Prayer 3.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Prov 20:25 | Homilies on Leviticus 11.1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
Proverbs 20:26
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:26 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 213 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 20:27
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:27 | 1 Clement 21.2 · Clement of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) |
| Prov 20:27 | The Instructor 2.10.100 · Clement of Alexandria | echo, low confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 20:27 | Miscellanies 4.17.107 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 20:27 | Miscellanies 7.7.37 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 20:27 | Against Marcion 4.33 · Tertullian | allusion, medium confidence | 207/208 (third edition, completed later) |
| Prov 20:27 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 213 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:27 | PG 12:1679 (Ps 150 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 20:27 | Ancoratus 15.3 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, medium confidence | 374 |
| Prov 20:27 | Ancoratus 15.4 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, medium confidence | 374 |
| Prov 20:27 | Ancoratus 15.9 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, medium confidence | 374 |
Proverbs 20:28
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:28 | Miscellanies 2.18.86 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 20:28 | Defence before Constantius 11 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 353–357 |
| Prov 20:28 | On Saint Athanasius 1.27 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |