Proverbs 29 in the early church
41 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 29, 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 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 26 · 27
Proverbs 29:1
A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:1 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 243 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:2 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 243 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 29:2 | Homilies 18.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
Proverbs 29:3
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:3 | Miscellanies 1.1.12 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 29:3 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 243 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 29:4
By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:4 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 29:5
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:5 | The Conferences 16.18 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 29:7
The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:7 | Oration III Against the Arians 25 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 339–346 |
Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:9 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 29:10
Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:10 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:11 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 29:11 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
| Prov 29:11 | The Conferences 16.27 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 29:12
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:12 | History of the Arians 68 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357 |
| Prov 29:12 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.17.3 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
Proverbs 29:13
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:13 | Homilies on the Psalms 14.8 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Prov 29:13 | On Tobit 25 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
Proverbs 29:14
A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:14 | On Saint Athanasius 1.30 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |
Proverbs 29:15
A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:15 | Miscellanies 1.11.54 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
Proverbs 29:16
When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:16 | On the Singleness of Clerics 2 · Anonymous | quotation, medium confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 29:16 | Letter 22 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:17 | Apostolic Constitutions 4.11.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:18 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 29:19
A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:19 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 29:19 | Letter 93.17 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 29:19 | Letter 185.21 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 29:19 | Letter 185.26 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, low confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 29:19 | Letter 194.24 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 29:19 | On Grace and Free Will 3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426 |
| Prov 29:19 | The Conferences 14.17 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 29:20
Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:20 | The Conferences 14.9 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 29:21
A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:21 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:22 | Letter 75.24 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | 249/250–258 |
| Prov 29:22 | The Institutes 8.1 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–426 |
Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:23 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 29:23 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 247 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 29:23 | Demonstration 14.10 · Aphrahat | quotation, high confidence | 337-345 |
Proverbs 29:24
A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:24 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 247 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 29:26
Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:26 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 247 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 29:27
An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:27 | On Saint Athanasius 1.28 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Prov 29:27 | On Saint Athanasius 1.30 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |