Proverbs 13 in the early church
90 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 13, 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: 3 · 4 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 17 · 18 · 20 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25
Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:3 | Letters to Virgins 1.11.6 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | 3rd century |
| Prov 13:3 | Defence of His Flight 17 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 357 |
| Prov 13:3 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
Proverbs 13:4
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:4 | Letter 125.11 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 13:4 | Letter 130.15 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 13:4 | The Institutes 10.21 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 419–426 |
| Prov 13:4 | The Conferences 24.2 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 13:6
Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:6 | On the Christian Life 10 · Fastidius | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 411-430 |
Proverbs 13:7
One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:7 | Sermon 36.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 13:7 | Sermon 36.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 13:7–8 | Sermon 36.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 13:7 | Sermon 36.11 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 13:7 | The Conferences 24.13 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 13:8
Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:8 | The Instructor 3.7.39 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 13:8 | Miscellanies 3.6.55 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 13:8 | PG 12:1157 (Ps 4 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 13:8 | PG 12:1519 (Ps 71 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 13:8 | On Prayer 29.6 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Prov 13:8 | Homilies on Leviticus 3.8 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 13:8 | Homilies on Leviticus 9.7 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 13:8 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 2.8 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 13:8 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 3.6 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 13:8 | Against Celsus 7.21 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Prov 13:8 | Commentary on Matthew 15.18 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Prov 13:8 | Commentary on Romans 3.7 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Prov 13:8 | Canonical Epistle, canon 12 · Peter of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | AD 306 |
| Prov 13:8 | Homilies 3.6 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 13:8 | Homilies 6.2 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 13:8 | Homilies 7.6 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 13:8 | Letter 22.31 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 13:8 | Letter 71.4 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 13:8 | Letter 129.2 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 13:8 | On Elijah and Fasting 76 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-390 |
| Prov 13:8 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.24.5 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 13:8 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 37.24.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 13:8 | Sermon 36.9 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 13:8 | Sermon 36.10 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 13:8 | Commentary on Jeremiah 2.23 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 414-419 |
| Prov 13:8 | The Conferences 3.9 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 13:9
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:9 | Miscellanies 4.25.160 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 13:9 | Homilies on Judges 1.1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 13:9 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 49 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Prov 13:9 | Oration I Against the Arians 10 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 339–346 |
| Prov 13:9 | Letter 7 · Ammonas | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Prov 13:9 | To the Bishops of Egypt 18 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 356 |
| Prov 13:9 | Oration 40.36 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 13:9 | Hexaemeron 2.5 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370 |
| Prov 13:9 | Exposition of Psalm 118 14.10.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 13:9 | Exposition of Psalm 118 19.21.1 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
Proverbs 13:10
Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:10 | On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Prov 13:10 | On the Holy Spirit 21 · Didymus the Blind | quotation, low confidence | Greek ca. 360-390; Latin 387-391 |
| Prov 13:10 | On the Beatitudes 1259 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380–394 |
Proverbs 13:11
Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:11 | The Instructor 3.12.91 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 13:11 | Miscellanies 3.6.56 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:12 | Miscellanies 3.17.103 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
Proverbs 13:13
He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:13 | Homilies 12.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 363-378 |
Proverbs 13:14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:14 | On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |
Proverbs 13:15
Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:15 | Exposition of Psalm 118 16.35.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
Proverbs 13:17
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:17 | On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Prov 13:17 | Apostolic Constitutions 7.8.5 · Anonymous | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 13:17 | The Conferences 11.10 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:18 | Question 34, section 2 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–384 |
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:20 | On the Holy Spirit 21 · Didymus the Blind | quotation, high confidence | Greek ca. 360-390; Latin 387-391 |
| Prov 13:20 | Apostolic Constitutions 6.18.5 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 13:20 | On the Duties of the Clergy 2.20 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:22 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 193 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 13:22 | PG 12:1639 (Ps 127–128 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 13:22 | Letter 93.50 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, low confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 13:22 | Letter 185.37 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 13:22 | Letter 185.40 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
Proverbs 13:23
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:23 | Defence of His Flight 13 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 357 |
Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:24 | Didache 4.9 · Anonymous | echo, low confidence | ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) |
| Prov 13:24 | The Instructor 3.12.93 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 13:24 | Prophetic Extracts 9.2 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 200 |
| Prov 13:24 | PG 12:1261 (Ps 22 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 13:24 | Commentary on Romans 7.18 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Prov 13:24 | To Quirinus 3.105 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Prov 13:24 | Divine Institutes 6.19.8 · Lactantius | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 303–311 |
| Prov 13:24 | Apostolic Constitutions 4.11.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 13:24 | Exposition of Psalm 118 18.3.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 13:24 | Letter 185.21 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 13:24 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.31.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 13:24 | Sermon 13.9 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, medium confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 13:24 | Sermon 56.17 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, low confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 13:24 | Homilies on the First Epistle of John 7.8 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, low confidence | ca. 407 |
Proverbs 13:25
A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:25 | The Instructor 2.1.14 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 13:25 | Homilies on Leviticus 16.5 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 13:25 | Against Celsus 7.24 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Prov 13:25 | Homilies on the Psalms 44.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Prov 13:25 | Letter 65.5 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |