Proverbs 27 in the early church
87 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 27, 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 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 25 · 26 · 27
Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:1 | Commentary on John 32.258 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 27:1 | Homilies on Ezekiel 6.10 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| Prov 27:1 | Homilies on Leviticus 7.4 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 27:1 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 80 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Prov 27:1 | Commentary on Matthew 16.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Prov 27:1 | Oration 16.3 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 27:1 | Homilies 6.2 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 27:1 | Homilies 13.1 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 27:1 | Apostolic Constitutions 6.15.6 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 27:1 | On the Lord's Prayer 1175 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 380–394 |
| Prov 27:1 | Sermon 352.9 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, low confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 27:1 | Tractates 13 · Gaudentius of Brescia | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397-410 |
| Prov 27:1 | Against the Letter of Parmenian 3.2 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, low confidence | ca. 400 |
| Prov 27:1 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 33.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Prov 27:1 | Sermon 10 · Peter Chrysologus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| Prov 27:1 | On Rebuke and Grace 15 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 427 |
Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:2 | Sentences of Sextus 286 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | 2nd-early 3rd cent. |
| Prov 27:2 | Commentary on Romans 10.6 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Prov 27:2 | Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:1 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Prov 27:2 | On the Duties of the Clergy 2.24 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Prov 27:2 | Exposition of Psalm 118 16.10.1 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 27:2 | Letter 200.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 27:2 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 36.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Prov 27:2 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 58.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Prov 27:2 | On Marriage and Concupiscence 0.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 419–421 |
Proverbs 27:3
A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:3–4 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
Proverbs 27:4
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:4 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 173 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 27:4 | The Conferences 18.16 · John Cassian | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 27:6
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27:7
The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:7 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 237 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 27:7 | The Conferences 12.5 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Prov 27:7 | The Conferences 14.13 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 27:8
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:8 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 237 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 27:9
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:9 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 239 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 27:10
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:10 | Miscellanies 1.19.95 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 27:10 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 239 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 27:10 | Homily on the Song of Songs 2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–250 |
| Prov 27:10 | On the Duties of the Clergy 1.34 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
Proverbs 27:11
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:11 | On Tobit 77 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
| Prov 27:11 | Liber Orsiesii 54 · Orsiesius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
Proverbs 27:12
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:12 | On Tobit 77 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
Proverbs 27:13
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:13 | On Tobit 76 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
| Prov 27:13 | On Tobit 77 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
| Prov 27:13 | On the Complaints of Job and David 2.5 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 383-390 |
Proverbs 27:14
If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:14 | The Instructor 3.11.82 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
Proverbs 27:15
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:15 | Exposition of Psalm 118 4.16.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 27:15 | Homily 4 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Prov 27:15 | Against Jovinianus 1.28 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
| Prov 27:15 | The Conferences 6.17 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 27:16
restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:16 | On Proverbs, fragment 9 · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 27:16 | Homily 10 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Prov 27:16 | Commentary on Jeremiah 1.8 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 414-419 |
| Prov 27:16 | Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 2 · Eucherius of Lyon | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 420-430 |
| Prov 27:16 | Sermon 20 · Peter Chrysologus | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 425-450 |
Proverbs 27:18
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:18 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 239 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 27:18 | On Paradise 64 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 375-378 |
Proverbs 27:19
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:19 | Homilies on Numbers 2.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 27:19 | Against Celsus 6.45 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
Proverbs 27:20
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:20 | On the Singleness of Clerics 28 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 27:20 | Homilies 7.4 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 27:20 | Letter 100.15 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 27:20 | Letter 211.10 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
Proverbs 27:21
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:21 | Confessions 10.60 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397–401 |
Proverbs 27:22
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:22 | On Proverbs, fragment 27 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 27:22 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 239 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 27:23
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:23 | Miscellanies 1.19.95 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 27:23 | Oration 2.33 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
Proverbs 27:25
When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:25 | Miscellanies 1.19.95 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
Proverbs 27:26
the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:26 | Miscellanies 1.19.95 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
Proverbs 27:27
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:27 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 239 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |