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.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:1Fragments on Proverbs, column 243 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:2Fragments on Proverbs, column 243 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 29:2Homilies 18.1 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 363-378

Proverbs 29:3

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:3Miscellanies 1.1.12 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 29:3Fragments on Proverbs, column 243 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 29:4

By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.

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Prov 29:4Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 29:5

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:5The Conferences 16.18 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 29:7

The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:7Oration III Against the Arians 25 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, medium confidenceca. 339–346

Proverbs 29:9

If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:9Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 29:10

Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:10Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 29:11

A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:11Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 29:11Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 401–402
Prov 29:11The Conferences 16.27 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 29:12

If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:12History of the Arians 68 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 357
Prov 29:12Apostolic Constitutions 2.17.3 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380

Proverbs 29:13

The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:13Homilies on the Psalms 14.8 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378
Prov 29:13On Tobit 25 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 380-390

Proverbs 29:14

A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:14On Saint Athanasius 1.30 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361

Proverbs 29:15

A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:15Miscellanies 1.11.54 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203

Proverbs 29:16

When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:16On the Singleness of Clerics 2 · Anonymousquotation, medium confidence3rd cent. (disputed)
Prov 29:16Letter 22 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 357–378

Proverbs 29:17

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:17Apostolic Constitutions 4.11.2 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380

Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:18Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 29:19

A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:19Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 29:19Letter 93.17 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Prov 29:19Letter 185.21 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Prov 29:19Letter 185.26 · Augustine of Hippoecho, low confidenceca. 386–430
Prov 29:19Letter 194.24 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Prov 29:19On Grace and Free Will 3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 426
Prov 29:19The Conferences 14.17 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 29:20

Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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Prov 29:20The Conferences 14.9 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 29:21

A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.

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Prov 29:21Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 29:22

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:22Letter 75.24 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Prov 29:22The Institutes 8.1 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 419–426

Proverbs 29:23

A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

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Prov 29:23Fragments on Proverbs, column 245 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 29:23Fragments on Proverbs, column 247 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 29:23Demonstration 14.10 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345

Proverbs 29:24

A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:24Fragments on Proverbs, column 247 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 29:26

Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:26Fragments on Proverbs, column 247 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 29:27

An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 29:27On Saint Athanasius 1.28 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Prov 29:27On Saint Athanasius 1.30 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361