Proverbs 15 in the early church
66 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 15, 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 · 3 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 23 · 24 · 27 · 28 · 30 · 32 · 33
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:1 | The Instructor 3.12.92 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 15:1 | Fragments on Genesis, column 127 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 15:1 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 2.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 15:1 | Instructions 2.31 · Commodian | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century (disputed) |
| Prov 15:1 | Apostolic Church Order 20 · Anonymous | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 300 |
| Prov 15:1 | Demonstration 9.2 · Aphrahat | echo, low confidence | 337-345 |
| Prov 15:1 | Defence before Constantius 35 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 353–357 |
| Prov 15:1 | Oration 18.22 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 15:1 | Homilies 10.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 15:1 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.3.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 15:1 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.18.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 15:1 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.18.6 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 15:1 | The Institutes 8.1 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 419–426 |
Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:3 | To Quirinus 3.56 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Prov 15:3 | On the Lord's Prayer 4 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 252 |
| Prov 15:3 | Letter 148.14 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, low confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 15:3 | On the Governance of God 2.2 · Salvian of Marseilles | quotation, high confidence | ca. 439-451 |
| Prov 15:3 | On the Governance of God 2.5 · Salvian of Marseilles | quotation, high confidence | ca. 439-451 |
| Prov 15:3 | On the Governance of God 4.66 · Salvian of Marseilles | quotation, high confidence | ca. 439-451 |
Proverbs 15:7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:7 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.68.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 15:7 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.5.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:8 | Miscellanies 2.18.79 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 15:8 | Demonstration 15.6 · Aphrahat | quotation, high confidence | 337-345 |
Proverbs 15:9
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:9 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 167 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 15:10
Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:10 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 193 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 15:10 | Letter 4.4 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | 249/250–258 |
Proverbs 15:12
A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:12 | Letter 4.4 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | 249/250–258 |
Proverbs 15:13
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:13 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.232 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Prov 15:13 | Defence before Constantius 12 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 353–357 |
| Prov 15:13 | Life of Antony 67 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–360 |
Proverbs 15:14
A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:14 | Miscellanies 1.11.54 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
Proverbs 15:15
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:15 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 193 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 15:16
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:16 | Oration 32.26 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 15:16–17 | Hexameron (Exameron) 5.23 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-390 |
Proverbs 15:17
Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:17 | The Instructor 2.1.16 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 15:17 | Commentary on John 13.210 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 15:17 | On Prayer 27.6 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Prov 15:17 | On Tobit 21 · Ambrose | echo, low confidence | ca. 380-390 |
| Prov 15:17 | On the Duties of the Clergy 2.21 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:18 | Letter 75.24 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | 249/250–258 |
| Prov 15:18 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
Proverbs 15:19
The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:19 | Letters to Virgins 1.10.5 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Prov 15:19 | On Virginity 23 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–371 |
| Prov 15:19 | Letters 21.5 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 15:19 | Letters 28.1 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 15:19 | The Institutes 10.21 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–426 |
| Prov 15:19 | The Conferences 24.24 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 15:23
A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:23 | Letters to Virgins 1.11.5 · Anonymous | allusion, low confidence | 3rd century |
Proverbs 15:24
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:24 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 193 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:27 | Long recension, Hero 5 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | later 4th century (probable) |
| Prov 15:27 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.35.2 · Anonymous | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 15:27 | Apostolic Constitutions 3.4.7 · Anonymous | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:28 | To the Bishops of Egypt 9 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356 |
| Prov 15:28 | On the Duties of the Clergy 1.29 · Ambrose | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 386–390 |
Proverbs 15:30
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:30 | The Instructor 3.11.70 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 15:30 | Hexameron (Exameron) 5.80 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-390 |
| Prov 15:30 | Letters 1.1 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 15:30 | Letters 2.1 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 15:30 | Letters 14.1 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 15:30 | Letters 21.5 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 15:30 | In Praise of the Desert 39 · Eucherius of Lyon | echo, low confidence | ca. 427-428 |
Proverbs 15:32
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:32 | On Prayer 28.7 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Prov 15:32 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 15:33 | Miscellanies 2.15.71 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 15:33 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.28.4 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 15:33 | The Conferences 14.16 · John Cassian | allusion, low confidence | ca. 426–429 |