Proverbs 17 in the early church

74 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 17, 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 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 20 · 21 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 28

Proverbs 17:1

Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:1On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.21 · Ambroseallusion, low confidenceca. 386-390
Prov 17:1On the Duties of the Clergy 2.21 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390

Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:2Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:2Commentary on the Song of Songs 2.123 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Prov 17:2Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:22 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 366–384
Prov 17:2On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.12 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390

Proverbs 17:3

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:3Miscellanies 2.18.91 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 17:3Octavius 36.9 · Minucius Felixecho, low confidenceca. 197–250
Prov 17:3Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:3Exhortation to Martyrdom 24 · Origenecho, low confidence235
Prov 17:3Letter 183 · Basil of Caesareaecho, medium confidenceca. 357–378
Prov 17:3Letter 209 · Basil of Caesareaecho, low confidenceca. 357–378
Prov 17:3Oration 14.30 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 17:3Sermon 105.13 · Augustine of Hippoecho, low confidenceca. 391-430
Prov 17:3Sermon 354.3 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 391-430
Prov 17:3Letters 18.10 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 394–413
Prov 17:3The Conferences 7.25 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 17:4

A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:4Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:4Letter 59.20 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Prov 17:4Letter 66.7 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258

Proverbs 17:5

He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:5Fragments on Proverbs, column 163 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:5Fragments on Proverbs, column 165 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:5Demonstration 7.24 · Aphrahatallusion, medium confidence337-345
Prov 17:5Exposition of Psalm 118 10.26.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 17:5Letters 34.1 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 394–413

Proverbs 17:6

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:6The Instructor 2.8.71 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 17:6Miscellanies 2.5.22 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 17:6Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:6PG 12:1157 (Ps 4 LXX) · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:6Homily on Luke 35 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 233–250
Prov 17:6Letter 53.11 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 17:6On the Making of Man 0 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, medium confidence379
Prov 17:6On Jacob and the Happy Life 1.37 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-390
Prov 17:6On Naboth 50 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-390
Prov 17:6Letter 153.26 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, medium confidenceca. 386–430
Prov 17:6Letter 157.32 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, medium confidenceca. 386–430
Prov 17:6Explanation of Twelve Psalms 48.17.3 · Ambroseallusion, low confidenceca. 387-397
Prov 17:6Against Adimantus, a Disciple of Mani 18 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, low confidenceca. 394
Prov 17:6Confessions 5.7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, medium confidenceca. 397–401
Prov 17:6City of God 20.7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, medium confidence413–426
Prov 17:6The Conferences 24.26 · John Cassianquotation, low confidenceca. 426–429
Prov 17:6Part 2, chapter 1 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, low confidenceca. 445-450

Proverbs 17:7

Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:7Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 17:9

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:9Fragments on Proverbs, column 197 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 17:12

It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:12Miscellanies 2.18.91 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203

Proverbs 17:13

If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:13Fragments on Proverbs, column 199 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 17:14

To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:14Fragments on Proverbs, column 199 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 17:15

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:15Fragments on Proverbs, column 199 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:15On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Prov 17:15Liber Orsiesii 43 · Orsiesiusallusion, high confidenceca. 380-390
Prov 17:15On the Duties of the Clergy 1.27 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390
Prov 17:15Against the Letter of Parmenian 2.4 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 400

Proverbs 17:16

Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:16Fragments on Proverbs, column 199 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:16On the Duties of the Clergy 1.27 · Ambrosequotation, medium confidenceca. 386–390
Prov 17:16The Conferences 14.16 · John Cassianquotation, medium confidenceca. 426–429
Prov 17:16The Conferences 14.17 · John Cassianquotation, medium confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:17Fragments on Proverbs, column 199 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:17Letter 58 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 357–378
Prov 17:17On the Life of Moses 341 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 385–395

Proverbs 17:20

The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:20Fragments on Proverbs, column 201 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 17:21

A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:21Fragments on Proverbs, column 201 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 17:23

A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:23On Proverbs, fragment 3 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 200–235
Prov 17:23Fragments on Proverbs, column 171 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:23Instructions 1.31 · Commodianallusion, low confidence3rd century (disputed)

Proverbs 17:24

Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:24Fragments on Proverbs, column 201 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 17:25

A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:25Fragments on Proverbs, column 201 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 17:25Homilies on Ezekiel 4.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)

Proverbs 17:26

It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:26Fragments on Proverbs, column 201 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 17:28

Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 17:28On Proverbs, fragment 19 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 200–235
Prov 17:28Letter to Zenas and Serenus 8 · Anonymousquotation, medium confidence4th century (disputed)
Prov 17:28Tractates on the Psalms 118.5.5 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 360–367
Prov 17:28Letter 21.1 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 17:28On the Holy Spirit 1.2 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 374–375
Prov 17:28The Conferences 4.9 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429